/1503 II
E/CN.4/1503
Annex II page 1
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AFHGANISTAN
1.
In recent years, the largest mass exodus has been that of Afghans. The majority of those fleeing sought refuge in the provinces of Pakistan bordering on their country and according to reports from Islamabad, they now number some 2.5 million. Others, reportedly over 1.5 million, are to be found mainly in Iran but also in India, Turkey and several other countries. This extraordinary exodus is the sequel of events. in Afghanistan starting with the change from monarchy republic, takeover by a régime, with Marxist-Leninist leanings and the subsequent entry of foreign troops into the country. The reasons behind the upheavals in Afghanistan are to be found not only in the power play of foreign interests and influences and the imposition of an altogether alien system on a predomi- nantly tribal Islamic society, but also in the socio-cultural fabric of Afghan society and political developments within the country during the last few years.
2.
Afghanistan's predominantly Muslim population of fifteen and a half million in 1979 1/ consisted of five to six million Pushtoons, some two and a half million Tajiks and a million Uzbeks, while Aimaks, Hazaras and Turkmen numbered several hundred thousand each and the nomadic population some two and a half million. A few of these ethnic groupings are well
represented outside the borders of Afghanistan also. Because of the country's size and physical features and because of strong tribal and religious codes, political administration from the capital, Kabul, was always tinged with difficulties. Sections of the population lived out their predominantly rural lives oblivious of their state loyalties, giving al- legiance only to their tribal group. Trade, commerce and social contracts were concluded on
concluded on a local basis, with little or no reference to the State. The sweeping socialist reforms introduced following the Saur (April) Revolution of 27 April 1978, which cut across the customs and beliefs of the over- whelming majority of the population, followed only 20 months later by the entry of Soviet troops into the country, threw it into a state of such turmoil and violence that it created a mass exodus and a refugee problem of great magnitude.
1/15
1/ 15 551 358: census of 23 June 1979.