Afghan refugees in neighbouring countries

Afghan refugees have, for decades, constituted one of the largest refugee populations in the world. With the return to power of the Taliban, there is little to no expectation that Afghan refugees will return home any time soon. Intense fighting in Afghanistan over the past few months, a dire economic and humanitarian situation, and fear of Taliban reprisals and the harsh rule for which the group was known when it ruled Afghanistan in the late 1990s, have pushed more people to leave the country. Others may follow. Neighbouring countries remain the most likely destination, but their treatment of refugees often complies only partly with international norms.