COMMON ANALYSIS
Last update: June 2026
The analysis below is based on the following EUAA COI products: Country Focus 2026, 1.4.1., 1.4.3.; Country Focus 2024, 1.2.5.; Country Guidance should not be referred to as a source of COI.
Step 1: Do the reported acts amount to persecution?
In general, the treatment faced by individuals under this profile would not amount to persecution. More specifically, the de facto authorities have responded to the large-scale return from Pakistan and Iran by making efforts to support returnees. Sources indicate that returnees, despite having faced some discrimination and challenges to fit in, have been generally treated well. Two surveys on the situation of returnees in Afghanistan found that 98 % of respondents had not experienced physical security issues in their communities. However, individuals falling under certain profiles such as Members of the security institutions of the former government, Critics of the Taliban including protesters, activists, human rights defenders, and human rights lawyers, Journalists and other media workers, Women and girls, Ethnic and religious minorities, Persons with diverse SOGIESC might be exposed to human rights violations upon being involuntarily returned to Afghanistan.
In addition, the hardship returnees form Pakistan and Iran may face including accessing adequate shelter, income, food, clean water, and healthcare, fails to meet the requirement of Article 6 QR regarding the existence of an actor that inflicts persecution or serious harm, and therefore cannot be qualified as an act amounting to persecution, unless the individual is intentionally deprived of basic services, access to the labour and housing market.
Step 2: What is the level of risk of persecution?
The mere fact of being an Afghan returning from Iran or Pakistan would in general not substantiate a well-founded fear of persecution. Should an individual falling under this profile be targeted, it would be related to other circumstances than the mere fact of being an Afghan returning from Iran or Pakistan.
In the case of a female applicant under this profile, it is reminded that in light of the current situation, a well-founded fear of persecution would in general be substantiated for Afghan women and girls.
For additional information, see 3.13. Women and girls