Afghanistan

October 28 10:20 AM

By Nikola Stanev

The Silk Rotes Facility is supporting The Government of Afghanistan and its Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation on development of a Comprehensive Migration Policy for Afghanistan (CMP).

First Comprehensive Migration Policy for Afghanistan

The CMP provides an all-inclusive migration framework addressing the current challenges vis-à-vis mixed migration flows, and providing concrete policy responses to address these challenges. It breaks down into four priority areas: (a) ensuring safe returns through reintegration and resettlement, (b) regular migration, (c) irregular migration, and (d) migration and development.

Reintegration of returning Afghan migrants

Over the last four decades, forced migration has increased, driven mainly by armed conflict and natural disasters. In 2016, as many as 8.5 million Afghans have been displaced internally or abroad. In 2017 alone, over 646,000 Afghans returned from the Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan, increasing to over 805,000 returnees from both countries in 2018. Keeping these numbers in mind, the CMP aims to address a wide array of challenges specific to the reintegration of Afghans – especially in relation to disaggregated data; coordination efforts between public, non-governmental and private entities providing reintegration support to returnees and IDPs; and livelihood opportunities.

Promotion of regular migration

Afghanistan has been facing a serious problem of irregular migration whereby Afghan migrants would engage in hazardous irregular migration spells by attempting to migrate with support of migrant smugglers or without the necessary national and international documentation to enter other countries. The reasons for this are many, including very limited options for regular migration for Afghan nationals. In this regard, the CMP offers concrete policy responses focusing on enhancing the capacities of national institutions to identify and prioritise countries of destination for Afghan labour migrants; reviewing existing legislation and frameworks specific to the protection and welfare of Afghan workers abroad; and highlighting key labour migration issues at regional forums and dialogues. In line with the CMP, this approach will expand labour migration markets for Afghans and consequently decrease the incidence of irregular migration.

Prevention of irregular migration

In order to help curb the menace of irregular migration and related crimes such as smuggling of migrants and trafficking in human beings, the CMP identifies responses which require relevant agencies in the country to be further strengthened – both in terms of capacity and resources, including modification of SOPs. Coordinated and focused action aiming at preventing and stopping migrant smuggling and human trafficking will reduce the risks for Afghans to be exposed to dangerous and uncertain travels with smugglers, and to exploitation by human traffickers.

Migration and Development

Linking migration governance is crucial to harness the positive interactions between migration and development. To this end, the CMP advocates for a more robust approach towards engagement of the Afghan diaspora abroad. The capacities of national institutions responsible for diaspora engagement will be strengthened, including providing opportunities for investment models/schemes. The use of remittances for a development-conducive purpose will also be promoted.

Coordinated Approach for Improved Migration Governance

The CMP is designed to help Afghanistan move from short-term humanitarian responses to long-term migration and development governance. It integrates repatriation and reintegration measures into a coherent strategy; links policy objectives with pragmatic policy solutions; and builds a common roadmap on which international and national partners can join forces.

Based on the existing legal framework, the CMP defines policy measures designed to address identified migration related challenges and priorities. It also calls for a coordinated approach in its implementation as well as for a strong national level CMP governance system. It introduces new policy dimensions, but also builds on existing policies and processes in country, taking them forward and linking them into a comprehensive migration management framework. The policy directions of the CMP are also aligned with relevant international instruments, regulations and best practices, including the Global Compacts for Migration (GCM) and on Refugees (GCR).

The Policy has received the full support of relevant national institutions and is pending approval at national level.

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