‘Their life is in limbo’: Edmonton woman fears for safety of Afghan family waiting in Tajikistan

Multiple yr after the Taliban seized energy in Afghanistan, an Edmonton lady continues to be ready to reunite along with her household.

As American troops started pulling out of Afghanistan final summer season, Naik Arbabzada got here to Edmonton.

Now, she says her sister, brother-in-law, and 6 nieces and nephews are caught in Tajikistan ready to return to Canada.

Arbabzada mentioned they fled after her brother-in-law acquired a threatening telephone name from an unknown individual stating he would face penalties for working with a overseas authorities.

Nevertheless, as soon as they reached Tajikistan, the federal government was not giving out UN refugee standing playing cards, which means they must keep within the nation as asylum seekers, she mentioned. 

“They can not work, they cannot actually do something. Their life is in limbo. They’re simply actually ready to have the ability to begin a life in Canada,” Arbabzada advised CBC Information.

Arbabzada mentioned she reached out to the Canadian authorities and after a while, was capable of waive the refugee standing standards to be able to fast-track her household’s arrival to Canada.

“There may be turmoil in Afghanistan, everybody is aware of what’s taking place there and all of those folks which can be fleeing Afghanistan are refugees.”

However Arbabzada mentioned Canada wouldn’t be capable to get a flight for her household till late October or early November. Nevertheless, their Tajik asylum playing cards are set to run out on Oct. 5 and that places the household in a tough place. 

“In the event that they go to the Tajik authorities to ask for an extension of their asylum card, there’s a important threat of not solely being denied the extension, however truly being taken from there and pushed throughout the border,” Arbabzada defined.

The United Nations Refugee Company (UNHCR) reported final month that Tajikistan is repeatedly detaining and deporting Afghan refugees, placing their lives in danger.

“We’re asking Tajikistan to cease detaining and deporting refugees, an motion that clearly places lives in danger,” mentioned Elizabeth Tan, UNHCR’s director of worldwide safety mentioned in an announcement on-line. “Compelled return of refugees is in opposition to the regulation and runs opposite to the precept of non-refoulement, a cornerstone of worldwide refugee regulation.”

A spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada mentioned in an announcement the division is involved about Tajikistan deporting Afghans however every nation units its personal entry and exit necessities, making it difficult to constitution flights in sure areas. 

“For every individual and household desirous to journey, we should contemplate whether or not they have the precise paperwork and the flexibility to take action. We proceed to work individually with every individual and group to confirm they’ve the required paperwork,” the assertion learn.

Arbabzada mentioned her relations have all their paperwork and he or she believes Afghan refugees are being handled unfairly in comparison with those that have fled Syria and Ukraine.

“Afghans are being handled otherwise and there is all this purple tape and hurdles and the Canadian authorities is ready to expedite these items, they’ve performed it earlier than they usually’re not doing it. I believe that is a giant disgrace,” Arbabzada mentioned.

Arbabzada mentioned she sympathizes with everybody who has skilled being a refugee, and hopes the Canadian authorities works to enhance the method for Afghans.

“I believe this can be a time to enhance the system in order that individuals are not struggling, folks’s lives usually are not at risk and individuals who’ve been authorised to return to Canada can. They need to be capable to get right here with out having their lives put at risk.”