IMA statement on the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and the growing Afghan refugee crisis

24 August 2021

It is the people of Afghanistan who suffer and struggle the most in the ongoing political crisis in Afghanistan.

Their suffering is not only happening at this moment when the Taliban have seized political power but for the past 20 years of US-led war of invasion and control of Afghanistan. In those 20 years, tens of thousands of Afghan civilians have perished as around 4 million have been massively displaced.

The US war on Afghanistan alone has killed 47,245 Afghan civilians, 66,000 Afghan national military and police, 51,191 members of Taliban and other opposition groups, 2,448 US service members, 3,846 US contractors, 1,144 service members from allied countries, 444 aid workers, and 72 journalists. More than 2.6 million Afghans are refugees, the third-largest displaced population in the world, and majority of whom live in Pakistan and Iran. 

We can expect more Afghans to flee the country with the political takeover of the Taliban that, based on its record, is not expected to uphold human rights and justice, champion women’s equality, or defend democracy. 

The situation in Afghanistan is most dire and the Afghan people deserve the utmost support, solidarity and justice from the international community. 

Governments across the world should open their borders for any and all Afghan people seeking refuge. The US government should take the lead in this as we support the calls for the strengthening of the refugee resettlement program of the US, increase in the cap of accepted refugees, and acceptance of all refugees, not only those who support the US operations in Afghanistan. 

The International Migrants Alliance stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and all Afghan refugees in their struggle for democracy, justice and liberation. We call on all IMA member organizations and networks to demand governments to open their borders and welcome Afghan refugees and provide support to them.

The IMA will continue to follow the political developments in Afghanistan. 

Reference: Eni Lestari, IMA Chairperson