IRIN interview with refugee affairs minister

One of the more important issues affecting Afghanistan's newly established interim administration is how to do deal with the millions of Afghans who took refuge in neighbouring countries over the past two decades. Enayatollah Nazeri, the interim administration's minister of repatriation and refugee affairs, rates the challenge he faces as enormous, but also something achievable with the necessary international assistance. "We can't do this alone," the 48 year-old trained lawyer and former minister of repatriation under the Rabbani government, told IRIN. Provided that peace and stability are maintained, he expects about five million Afghans to come home over the next five years - one million of them this year alone. QUESTION: This could be the largest repatriation operation in the world. How are you preparing for it? ANSWER: The ministry of repatriation and refugees is working closely with [the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] UNHCR and the International Organisation for Migration [IOM]. Returnees will be assisted with cash assistance, transportation, and other forms of assistance. Regarding those who are returning to Kabul or other parts of the country, the IOM has agreed to provide transportation facilities to those returning to their place of origin. Additionally, UNHCR and other international organisations have agreed to assist the returnees in the rehabilitation of their houses. We are committed to the safe repatriation of returnees from the neighbouring countries to inside Afghanistan....this does not include people who, under international law, were involved in terrorist activities. Q: How many people are you expecting and what's the time frame? A: We have five million Afghan refugees living in neighbouring countries who we expect will repatriate over the next five years. For 2002, we are expecting one million refugees to repatriate. If this number is more, we are ready to receive a larger number. This of course is dependent on assistance from the international community to encourage them to return voluntarily. Q: Does your country have the capacity to receive such large quantities of people? A: As I mentioned before, receiving such a large number depends on assistance from the international community. If the international community, particularly the UN, provides assistance in the areas of health, shelter, education and other facilities, I am sure we can receive this large number. Q: Who are the key players within the UN system that you are working with now? A: The key UN agencies that have a close working relationship with us are UNHCR and IOM, as well as the Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Assistance, OCHA, which provides assistance and funds to other aid agencies. Q: Are you satisfied with the assistance you have received thus far? A: Unfortunately, practically speaking, we have yet to receive any assistance regarding the refugees, returnees or displaced people. We are expecting their effective, useful and practical assistance. We can't do this alone. Q: When would you like to see this repatriation programme commence? A: Since the establishment of the interim government [on 22 December], 100,000 Afghans have spontaneously repatriated [without receiving any formal assistance] from Pakistan, while 65,000 have [done so] from Iran. We are expecting a mass repatriation of refugees to begin in March, after the cold weather has receded. Q: What type of assistance would you like to see more of? A: Providing food assistance to the returning families is foremost, followed by clothing and blankets, and items used for shelter. Most of these people's homes have been destroyed by the Taliban. When they return to their place of origin, they have nothing. In short, we need the rehabilitation of these people's destroyed houses. Additionally, health assistance is very important, as many of the refugees and returnees suffer from vitamin deficiency and other diseases. Safe drinking water and education are also important issues. Q: Iran and Pakistan are the two largest hosts of Afghan refugees. What role do you envision these governments having in this operation? A: We are planning to have a tripartite agreement, which has been provided by UNHCR. We are working on this. This agreement will be made between the Afghan government, UNHCR, and the respective governments of both countries. Under this agreement, the Afghan refugee will repatriate voluntarily. The governments of Pakistan and Iran will act in accordance to international norms regarding the refugees until they return voluntarily. UNHCR is providing facilities and assistance in those countries. Until those Afghans in Pakistan and Iran return, it is expected that both countries will respect the rights of these refugees... This agreement was originally signed in 1993, but due to changes, a new draft has been drawn up to be signed. From our side, everything is done, and we have submitted it to our Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once this draft is reviewed and examined by the governments of Pakistan and Iran, this draft will be signed. Q: How cooperative have the Iranian and Pakistani governments been in this regard? A: These countries should not force people to repatriate. I am satisfied with the draft of the agreement we have made available to these governments. After signing the draft, and UNHCR gets the signature of these countries, we enter the practical areas. Q: What guarantees are in place now to assure refugees that it is safe for them to return to their country? A: The safe return of Afghan refugees along the joint or common borders is the responsibility of the host countries. Once they are inside Afghanistan, we have contact with the local authorities to provide these returnees [with] a safe return. They have given us their assurance of such assistance, and people will be able to return to Kabul and other parts of the country safely. Q: Are you optimistic that you can achieve your goals? A: As I have been given the assurance of the local authorities, I am optimistic and every day am becoming more hopeful about providing a safe repatriation process. Under the policy the interim government has adopted, I am confident we can achieve our goals.