CAT/C/PAK/CO/1 prevent forced and bonded labour and other forms of ill-treatment, abuse and exploitation; (c) Ensure that victims compensation and rehabilitation. of trafficking obtain redress, including Refugees and non-refoulement 34. While commending the State party for hosting millions of refugees, many of them Afghans, the Committee is concerned about recent documented reports of coercion, including threats of deportation and police abuse, extortion, raids and arbitrary detention, to return Afghans, including registered refugees, to their country of origin where they could be at risk of persecution, torture or ill-treatment. The Committee regrets the lack of a legal framework for refugees and asylum seekers (art. 3). 35. The State party should: (a) Amend legislation, particularly the Extradition Act 1972 and the Foreigners Order 1951, and procedures to fully comply with the principle of nonrefoulement and to protect refugees and asylum seekers, in line with article 3 of the Convention; (b) Consider adopting a comprehensive law on asylum that is consistent with international human rights standards and norms and is in accordance with article 3; (c) Consider acceding to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol; (d) Investigate allegations of police abuse against Afghans and other actions by public authorities undertaken for the purpose of coercing them to return to their country of origin, despite the real risk of torture they face, and discipline or criminally sanction those responsible for such abuse. Due diligence to prevent violence by non-State actors 36. The Committee is concerned about reports of violence against and inadequate efforts by the State party’s authorities to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly members of Shia, Christian and Ahmadiyya communities and individuals accused of blasphemy, from violence by non-State actors. The Committee is particularly concerned about the conduct of the State party’s authorities in the recent case of Mashal Khan, who was killed by a mob after being accused of blasphemy. The Committee is also concerned by reports that the State party’s authorities have sometimes refrained from promptly investigating reports and prosecuting perpetrators of activities including abduction for ransom by groups including the Haqqani Network and Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (arts. 2, 12-13 and 16). 37. The Committee calls on the State party to: (a) Protect members of vulnerable groups, including religious minority communities and individuals exercising freedom of opinion or expression, from violence perpetrated by non-State actors. The State party should ensure that all acts of violence by non-State actors, including mob violence, are investigated promptly, effectively and impartially, that perpetrators are punished and that victims obtain appropriate redress; (b) Ensure that the State party’s authorities promptly investigate allegations of abduction for ransom by all non-State actors and groups operating in its territory. Corporal punishment 38. While noting the information provided by the State party’s delegation that they are not implemented in practice, the Committee is concerned that provisions in the State party’s laws allow for the imposition of corporal punishment, including whipping, amputation and stoning (art. 16). 39. The State party should take the necessary legislative measures to eradicate and explicitly prohibit all forms of corporal punishment in all settings, as they amount to 9

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