Afghan transgender woman says returning to Afghanistan under Taliban rule could put her life at risk as she seeks legal protection from the Peshawar High Court.
PESHAWAR: An Afghan transgender woman, identified as Arزو, has approached the Peshawar High Court seeking protection against possible deportation to Afghanistan, saying she fears for her life if she is forced to return under Taliban rule.
In her petition, Arزو maintained that conditions for transgender people in Afghanistan have become extremely difficult and unsafe since the Taliban took control of the country. She claimed that transgender individuals face serious threats, including violence and murder, making her return potentially life-threatening.
According to the petition, Arزو fled Afghanistan nearly five years ago and came to Pakistan. She currently lives alone in Peshawar and does not possess legal Afghan documents. However, she has registered her case with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as a refugee.
Arزو said transgender people in Afghanistan face severe discrimination and rejection not only from society but also within their own families. She maintained that the situation had deteriorated under Taliban rule, leaving members of the transgender community vulnerable to serious threats.
The petitioner fears that if she is deported to Afghanistan, she could face violence or lose her life. She has therefore sought the high court’s intervention to protect her from forced removal and ensure her safety.
During the proceedings, Arزو’s lawyer informed the court that the Peshawar High Court had previously provided protection to Afghan transgender individuals facing the threat of forced deportation.
The lawyer referred to a similar petition filed in 2023 on behalf of approximately 147 to 149 Afghan transgender people. According to the lawyer, the applicants had submitted evidence of their UNHCR registration, while resettlement arrangements in Canada or Belgium were also under consideration.
The reference was presented to highlight the court’s previous involvement in cases involving Afghan transgender refugees and their concerns about being returned to Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Farooq Khattak, vice chairman of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council, said the protection of human life and fundamental rights was the responsibility of the state and the judicial system.
He maintained that every person present on the country’s soil was entitled to the protection of life and basic rights under the Constitution and law.
The case highlights the concerns raised by Afghan transgender refugees living in Pakistan over the prospect of returning to a country where, according to their accounts, they face serious threats to their safety.
About The Author
