YERİNDEN EDİLENLERİN SESLERİ: AFGANİSTAN’DA ÜLKE İÇİNDE YERİNDEN EDİLENLERİN DENEYİMLERİ ARACILIĞIYLA KALICI ÇÖZÜMLER BELİRLEMEK

Year 2025, Volume: 3 Issue: 2, 212 - 237, 31.12.2025

Ali Wardak , Kate Williams Palash Kamruzzaman Yaseen Ayobi

https://doi.org/10.69800/blr.1818983

Abstract

Bu makale, Afganistan’daki ülke içinde yerinden edilenler (IDP’ler) tarafından belirlenen, ülkenin iç yerinden edilme krizine yönelik potansiyel kalıcı çözümlerini incelemektedir. İleri sürülen düşünceler IDP’lerle, Afganistan hükümet yetkilileriyle, yerel ve uluslararası insani yardım sağlayıcılarıyla yapılan görüşmelere dayanmaktadır. Ampirik bulgular, Afganistan’da iç yerinden edilmenin başlıca nedeni savaş olmasına rağmen kuraklık, doğal afetler ve kazanç fırsatlarının eksikliğinin de bu karmaşık probleme katkıda bulunduğunu göstermektedir. Bu durum, ülke genelindeki IDP’ler arasında insan onuru zedelenmesi, yoksulluk ve acıya yol açmıştır. Uzun Afgan savaşının son kırk beş yıl boyunca çeşitli aşamalarıyla iç yerinden edilmeye yol açmış olmasına rağmen, yerinden edilme sorununa kalıcı çözümler bulunamaması, sürekli olarak bu sorunun devamına, acıya ve savaşa katkıda bulunmuştur. Makalede, Afganistan’daki IDP sorununa yönelik yerel ve uluslararası müdahalelerin yetersiz, koordinasyonsuz, kısa vade odaklı ve uzun vadeli bir vizyondan yoksun olduğunu savunuyoruz. Sonuç olarak, krize kalıcı çözümler bulabilmek için sürdürülebilir barış, kapsayıcı devlet kurumları, uluslararası toplum ve Afganistan otoritelerinin güçlü siyasi iradesi ile hedefe yönelik kalkınma yardımlarının bir kombinasyonuna ihtiyaç bulunmaktadır. Bu yöndeki çalışmalar, IDP’lerin onurlu bir şekilde asıl yerleşim yerlerine dönmelerini ve yeniden entegrasyonlarını ya da mevcut yaşadıkları topluluklara kalıcı olarak yerleşmelerini desteklemelidir.

Keywords

IDPs , ülke içi yerinden edilme , savaş , şiddet , onur kırıcı muamele , kapsayıcı kalkınma , sürdürülebilir barış , Afganistan

Supporting Institution

Bu projeye sağladıkları mali destek için British Academy’ye de teşekkür ederiz (Ref: SDP2/100384).

Thanks

Yazarlar, zamanlarını ayırdıkları ve paha biçilemez katkıları için Afganistan’daki katılımcılara teşekkür eder. Ayrıca, bu yayının editoryal sürecine ve koordinasyonuna sağladığı değerli katkılar nedeniyle BLR Yardımcı Editörü Cansu Türkmen’e de teşekkür ederiz.

VOICES OF THE DISPLACED: IDENTIFYING LASTING SOLUTIONS THROUGH THE EXPERIENCES OF IDPS IN AFGHANISTAN

Abstract

This paper explores potential lasting solutions to the crisis of internal displacement in Afghanistan as identified by Internally Displace People (IDPs) in the country. The arguments are based on interviews with IDPs, Afghanistan’s government officials as well as local and international humanitarian aid providers. Empirical findings indicates that while war had been the main cause of internal displacement in Afghanistan, drought, natural disasters, and a lack of income-generating opportunities also contributed to this complex problem. This situation has caused loss of dignity, poverty and suffering among IDPs across the country. Although various phases of the long Afghan war had caused internal displacement over the past four and a half decades, failure to find lasting solutions to displacement contributed to continued displacement, suffering and to war. We argue that local and international responses to the IDPs problem in Afghanistan have been inadequate, uncoordinated, focused on ‘short-termism’, and have lacked a long-term vision. We conclude that lasting solutions to the crisis require a combination of sustainable peace, inclusive state institutions, strong political will from the international community and from Afghanistan’s ruling authorities as well as targeted development aid. Such efforts must support the dignified return of IDPs and their reintegration into their places of origin, or their permanent settlement in the communities where they currently live.

Keywords

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) , war , violence , indignity , inclusive development , sustainable peace , Afghanistan

Supporting Institution

We would also like to thank the British Academy for their support in funding this project (Ref: SDP2\100384).

Thanks

The authors would like to thank the participants in Afghanistan for their time and invaluable insights.We would also like to thank Cansu Türkmen, Assistant Editor of BLR, for her valuable contributions to the editorial process and coordination of this publication.

References

• Abfalter D, Mueller-Seeger J and Raich M, ‘Translation Decisions in Qualitative Research: A Systematic Framework’ (2020) 24 International Journal of Social Research Methodology 469
• Aljazeera, ‘The Opposite Way of Migration in Afghanistan: From Cities to Rural Villages’ (YouTube, 2022) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YbJk7-KzlA> accessed 12 November 2025
• Aljazeera, ‘Who will save Afghans from hunger?’ (Aljazeera, 17 December 2025) <https://www.aljazeera.com/video/inside-story/2025/12/17/who-will-save-afghans-from-hunger> accessed 20 December 2025
• Ayobi Y, Williams K and Wardak A, ‘Afghanistan: Stuttering Peace Process Leaves out Millions Displaced by 40 Years of War’, (The Conversation, 28 May 2020) <https://theconversation.com/afghanistan-stuttering-peace-process-leaves-out-millions-displaced-by-40-years-of-war-135605> accessed 20 December 2025
• Barfield T, Afghanistan: A Cultural and Political History (Princeton University Press 2010)
• Bhutta ZA, ‘Children of War: The Real Casualties of the Afghan Conflict’ (2002) 324(7333) BMJ (Clinical Research Edition) 349
• Beath A, Christia F, Enikolopov R and Kabuli SA, Randomized Impact Evaluation of Phase II of Afghanistan’s National Solidarity Programme (NSP): Estimates of Interim Program Impact from First Follow-up Survey (2010) <http://www.nsp-ie.org/reports/BCEK-Interim_Estimates_of_Program_Impact_2010_07_13.pdf> accessed 12 November 2025
• Braithwaite J and Wardak A, ‘Crime and War in Afghanistan: Part I: The Hobbesian Solution’ (2013) 53(2) British Journal of Criminology 179
• Colville R, Afghanistan: The Unending Crisis – The Biggest Caseload in the World (UNHCR 1997) <https://www.unhcr.org/en-au/publications/refugeemag/3b680fbfc/refugees-magazine-issue-108-afghanistan-unending-crisis-biggest-caseload.html > accessed 12 November 2025
• Council on Foreign Relations, The Taliban (Council on Foreign Relations 1999) <https://www.cfr.org/taliban/#!/> accessed 15 March 2025
• Crawford N, ‘War-related Death, Injury, and Displacement in Afghanistan and Pakistan 2001–2014’ (2015) Watson Institute for International Studies < https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/war-related-death-injury-and-displacement-afghanistan-and-pakistan-2001-2014> accessed 12 November 2025
• Dashti Z, ‘Afghan External Migration Movements in the Historical Process’ (2022) 6 Asya Studies 301.
• The Diplomat, ‘Advantage Akhundzada in Taliban Factional Fight in Afghanistan?’ (5 March 2025) <https://thediplomat.com/2025/03/advantage-akhundzada-in-taliban-factional-fight-in-afghanistan/> accessed 7 September 2025
• Drumbl MA, ‘The Taliban’s “Other” Crimes’ (2002) 23(6) Third World Quarterly 1121.
• Dupree L, ‘The First Anglo-Afghan War and the British Retreat of 1842: The Functions of History and Folklore’ (1976) 26(3/4) East and West 503
• Galster S, Afghanistan: Lessons from the Last War (The National Security Archive 2001) <https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB57/essay.html> accessed 12 November 2025.
• Gupta J and Vegelin C, ‘Sustainable Development Goals and Inclusive Development’ (2016) 16 International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics 433
• Government of Afghanistan, National Policy on Internally Displaced Persons (Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation (2013) <https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/afghanistan-national-policy-internally-displaced-persons-25-november-2013> accessed 12 November 2025.
• Grossman P, ‘Truth, Justice and Stability in Afghanistan’ in N Roht-Arriaza and J Mariezcurrena (eds), Transitional Justice in the Twenty-First Century, Beyond Truth Versus Justice (Cambridge University Press 2006) 255–77 <www.restorativejustice.org/articlesdb/articles/7724> accessed 12 November 2025
• Hughes RG and Fergusson J, ‘“Graveyard of Empires”: Geopolitics, War and the Tragedy of Afghanistan’ (2019) 34(7) Intelligence and National Security 1070-1084.
• International Displacement Monitoring Centre, Country Profile: Afghanistan (2023) <https://www.internal-displacement.org/countries/afghanistan> accessed 15 March 2025
• Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Framework on Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons (2010), The Brooking Institution – University of Bern, Washington DC <https://www.unhcr.org/50f94cd49.pdf> accessed 12 November 2025
• Jackson A, The Cost of War: Afghan Experiences of Conflict, 1978–2009 (2009) <https://www-cdn.oxfam.org/s3fs-public/file_attachments/afghanistan-the-cost-of-war_14.pdf> accessed 12 November 2025
• Kamaruzzaman P, Williams K, Wardak A, Cowley L, Ayobi Y, Zadran A, Kabir E, Evidence on internal displacement in Afghanistan: In search of dignified life, durable solutions, and sustainable development for the Afghan internally displaced people, Field Research Report, the British Academy and University of South Wales <https://pure.southwales.ac.uk/en/publications/evidence-on-internal-displacement-in-afghanistan-in-search-of-dig> accessed 20 December 2025
• Kandiwal WM, ‘Dignity among the Displaced in Jalalabad, Afghanistan’ in K Holloway (ed), Dignity in Displacement – Case Studies from Afghanistan, Colombia, the Philippines and South Sudan, Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG) Working Paper (ODI 2019) 3.
• Kaura V, The Durand Line: A British Legacy Plaguing Afghan-Pakistani Relations (Middle Eastern Institute 2017) <https://www.mei.edu/publications/durand-line-british-legacy-plaguistani-afghan-pakistani-relations> accessed 12 November 2025
• Lakhani S and Amir R, Displacement and the Vulnerability to Mobilize for Violence (USIP 2020) <https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/2020-01/pw_155-displacement_and_the_vulnerability_to_mobilize_for_violence_evidence_from_afghanistan.pdf> accessed 12 November 2025
• Mordock J, ‘IMF to Withhold $460M in Funds from Afghanistan after Taliban Takeover’ (Washington Times, 19 August 2021) <https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/aug/19/imf-withhold-460m-funds-afghanistan-after-taliban-/> accessed 12 November 2025
• Nichols M (Reuters), ‘U.N. Readies for More Displaced Afghans after Troop Withdrawal’ (14 June 2021) <https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/un-readies-more-displaced-afghans-after-troop-withdrawal-2021-06-14/> accessed 12 November 2025
• Refugee Council, Press Release, Afghanistan (22 January 2025) <https://www.nrc.no/news/2025/january/millions-of-afghans-face-expulsion-under-desperate-conditions#:~:text=In%20September%202024%2C%20Iran%20announced,15%2C%202024> accessed 12 November 2025
• Pannier B, ‘Central Asian Nations Embrace Engagement with Taliban’ (Yorktime Institute, 13 June 2025) <https://yorktowninstitute.org/central-asian-nations-embrace-engagement-with-taliban/> accessed 20 December 2025
• Politico, ‘World Bank Suspends Aid to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan’ (2021) <https://www.politico.eu/article/world-bank-suspends-aid-taliban-afghanistan/> accessed 17 March 2025
• Pouw N and Gupta J, ‘Inclusive Development: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach’ (2017) 24 Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability 104.
• Post-War Reconstruction and Development Unit (PRDU), The Study of NSP’s Impact on IDP/Refugee Returnee Reintegration in Afghanistan (PRDU, University of York, 2012)
• Rammelt CF and Gupta J, ‘Inclusive is Not an Adjective, It Transforms Development: A Post-Growth Interpretation of Inclusive Development’ (2021) 124 Environmental Science & Policy 144.
• Ruiz HA, Afghan Refugees Shunned and Scorned (United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants 2001). <https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/3bc1918810.pdf> accessed 12 November 2025
• Schmeidl S, Four Decades of Afghan Displacement (German Federal Agency for Civic Education (Bundeszentrale für Politische Bildung/bpb) 2019) <https://www.bpb.de/gesellschaft/migration/laenderprofile/284416/four-decades-of-afghan-displacement> accessed 3 September 2025
• Sifton J (Human Rights Watch), Blood-Stained Hands: Past Atrocities in Kabul and Afghanistan’s Legacy of Impunity (Asia: Human Rights Watch 2005) <https://www.hrw.org/report/2005/07/06/blood-stained-hands/past-atrocities-kabul-and-afghanistans-legacy-impunity> accessed 12 November 2025
• UNAMA, ‘Update on the Human Rights Situation in Afghanistan’ (May 2025 update) <https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/unama-update-human-rights-situation-afghanistan-january-march-2025-update> accessed 5 September 2025.
• UNHCR, Afghanistan Situation Update #8 (5 September 2025) <UNHCR Afghanistan Situation - Afghan Returns Emergency Update #8.pdf> accessed 7 September 2025.
• UNHCR, Global Focus: Afghanistan Situation (2025) <https://reporting.unhcr.org/operational/situations/afghanistan-situation#:~:text=In%202025%2C%20UNHCR%20will%20deliver,focus%20on%20women%20and%20girls> accessed 5 September 2025
• UNHCR, Afghanistan Refugee Crisis Explained (USA for UNHCR, 19 July 2024) <https://www.unrefugees.org/news/afghanistan-refugee-crisis-explained/> accessed 5 September 2025
• United Nations, ‘The Situation in Afghanistan and Its Implications for International Peace and Security’, Report of the Secretary-General (28 February 2024) <https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/sg_report_on_afghanistan_march_2024.pdf> accessed 15 March 2025
• United Nations, ‘The Situation in Afghanistan and Its Implications for International Peace and Security’, Report of the Secretary-General (2023) <https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/sg_report_on_the_situation_in_afghanstian_december_2023.pdf> accessed 15 March 2025
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, Inclusive Development, Recovery and Peacebuilding (2025) <https://www.undp.org/ukraine/inclusive-development-recovery-and-peacebuilding> accessed 5 September 2025
• World Peace Foundation, ‘Mass Atrocity Endings: Afghanistan: Soviet Invasion and Civil War’ (7 August 2015), cited in American Archive of Public Broadcasting, ‘“Burning with a Deadly Heat: NewsHour Coverage of the Hot Wars of the Cold War’ <https://americanarchive.org/exhibits/newshour-cold-war/notes?utm_source> accessed 13 November 2025
• Yamani M, Feminism and Islam: Legal and Literary Perspectives (Berkshire: Ithaca Press 1996)