'Return to your country' Kabul tells Afghans rebuffed by Washington / Photo: © AFP
-
Venezuela races to search for survivors after quakes kill at least 235
-
Court battle plays out over Wimbledon tennis expansion plan
-
Attack on ship in Hormuz leads UN to halt evacuation plan for trapped sailors
-
List of worst World Cup performances
-
Yoon leads Women's PGA Championship, Korda satisfied with 'solid' start
-
NZ internal report warns of Chinese military forays in Pacific
-
Japan to play Brazil in World Cup knockouts after nervy Sweden draw
-
Dutch march into World Cup knockouts as group winners
-
Better to qualify this way, says Ecuador World Cup hero Plata
-
Ivory Coast see 'no limits' after reaching World Cup knockouts for first time
-
Advocaat 'proud' of Curacao as minnows exit World Cup
-
Germany committed 'tactical suicide', says Nagelsmann
-
Iglesias -- Spanish World Cup striker unafraid to speak out about injustice
-
Quake-hit Venezuela's hospitals care for children left alone
-
Anderson to join Man City from Forest for British record fee: reports
-
Cole grabs PGA Travelers lead with Scheffler one back
-
Ecuador upset Germany to reach World Cup last 32 as Curacao eliminated
-
De Silva century rescues Sri Lanka in first Test
-
Ecuador edge Germany to squeeze into World Cup last 32
-
Pepe steers Ivory Coast into World Cup last 32 as Curacao go home
-
Spain women's star Putellas to join London City Lionesses
-
WNBA suspends Thomas for fist to Clark's throat
-
England showing Premier League edge at World Cup: Eze
-
UK'S King Charles breaks precedent to reveal £30 mn paid in taxes since 2022
-
Nasdaq falls again on mixed day for US stocks, oil prices rise
-
Yoon grabs early Women's PGA Championship lead with Korda in hunt
-
France squad look to do grieving Deschamps proud in final World Cup group game
-
Will Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wed in New York? Clues abound
-
Mayweather's Athens fight with Zambidis is off: report
-
Lawyer says Vondrousova 'should appeal' against four-year ban
-
Alonso committed to Aston Martin, but keeping options open
-
Hospitals raise alert as heatwave slams Europe
-
Events cancelled, records loom as heatwave reaches Germany
-
'Alligator Alcatraz' detention center shuts in US: official
-
Czech striker Schick ends international career
-
Tennis great Evert says 'relentless' cancer has returned
-
US says wants deal with Iran, but not 'at any price'
-
Colombian president-elect gives armed groups one month to surrender
-
US Supreme Court hands win to Bayer in weedkiller litigation
-
New Zealand's Latham and Conway pile on the runs before Stokes breakthrough
-
Apple raises prices for MacBooks and iPads, as costs soar over AI
-
Dominant Osaka sails into Bad Homburg semis
-
UK suffers as heat breaks new June record
-
US Supreme Court says asylum seekers can be turned away before border
-
Binance to suspend crypto services in several EU countries
-
Olivia Wilde looks at evolving relationships in 'The Invite'
-
Hamilton reveals neck injury that hampered debut year with Ferrari
-
Rows, drones and 'sorry' Son as South Korea await World Cup fate
-
Noosha Aubel and Dietmar Woidke: How Potsdam Is Letting Down a Young Child with Profound Disabilities
-
Antonelli welcomes Mercedes upgrade as Russell says beware Hamilton
'Return to your country' Kabul tells Afghans rebuffed by Washington
The Taliban government on Saturday urged Afghans hoping to emigrate to the United States to instead return to Afghanistan, after Washington tightened entry conditions.
US President Donald Trump this week announced a travel ban targeting 12 countries, including Afghanistan, which his proclamation said lacked "competent" central authorities for processing passports and vetting.
Commenting on the ban on Saturday, Prime Minister Hassan Akhund urged Afghans to return to their country, saying they would be protected even if they worked with US-led forces in the two-decade fight against the Taliban insurgency.
"For those who are worried that America has closed its doors to Afghans... I want to tell them, 'Return to your country, even if you have served the Americans for 20 or 30 years for their ends, and ruined the Islamic system'," he said in a speech marking the Eid al-Adha holiday, broadcast by state media.
"You will not face abuse or trouble," he said, making reassurances that the Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada had "granted amnesty for all".
After surging to power in 2021, Taliban authorities announced a general amnesty for Afghans who worked with the Western-backed forces and government. However, the United Nations has recorded reports of extrajudicial killings, detentions and abuses.
In the past four years, the Taliban government has imposed a strict view of Islamic law and restrictions on women which the UN says amount to "gender apartheid".
Afghans fled in droves to neighbouring countries during decades of conflict, but the chaotic withdrawal of US-led troops saw a new wave clamouring to escape Taliban government curbs and fears of reprisal for working with Washington.
The United States has not had a working embassy in Afghanistan since 2021 and Afghans must apply for visas in third countries, principally Pakistan which has recently ramped up campaigns to expel Afghans.
Since Trump returned to the White House in January, Afghans have gradually seen their chances of migrating to the United States or staying there shrink.
Trump administration orders have disrupted refugee pathways and revoked legal protections temporarily shielding Afghans from deportation starting in July.
G.Frei--VB
