In August, a video surfaced showing an Afghan teenager being violently restrained by Iranian police, which ignited widespread outrage. Discrimination and harassment have long been a reality for Afghans in Iran, but many report that the pressure is intensifying.
An Afghan delegation, led by acting Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar, is set to visit Iran on Sunday to engage in discussions surrounding the pressing issues of Afghan migrants. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) announced that the delegation will address incidents involving Afghan migrants, including cases of drowning and reported mistreatment by Iranian authorities.
The delegation comprises officials from various ministries, representatives from the Presidential Palace, and members of the National Security Council, highlighting the significance of the talks. Gran Hewad, a spokesperson for MoFA, stated that the delegation aims to strengthen and develop cooperation between Afghanistan and Iran, amid mounting concerns over the treatment of Afghan migrants in the neighbouring country.
The urgency of the delegation’s visit follows a recent summons by the Afghan International Relations Committee of the House of Representatives. During this session, officials from MoFA and the Ministry of Immigration faced criticism for their handling of the migrant crisis, particularly regarding the reported mistreatment and drowning of Afghans at the Iranian border.
According to the committee’s report, incidents in early May involved Iranian border guards allegedly throwing migrants into a river, leading to the disappearance of 13 individuals, with 18 bodies recovered and 19 rescued. The committee demanded that the Iranian government compensate the victims’ families and take punitive measures against the responsible border guards. However, Iran has denied any involvement by its security forces in these incidents.
Deportations Surged
Further exacerbating the situation, three Afghan nationals tragically lost their lives in a recent vehicle accident in Yazd province after being reportedly shot at by Iranian police. These incidents have ignited outrage in Afghanistan, with protests calling for international organizations to investigate the killings of Afghan citizens in Iran and to ensure accountability for those responsible.
In the border town of Islam Qala, reports indicate that hundreds of Afghans are being deported daily from Iran, often after having crossed into the country illegally in search of safety from the Taliban regime and the severe humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Many deportees have described their experiences of mistreatment at the hands of Iranian authorities.
Yaqub Mohammad, a recent deportee, recounted his experience to Radio Free Europe, saying, “They grab Afghan migrants and take them to camps. They treated us like criminals.” Another deportee, Gul Lalai, shared that he faced humiliation and physical abuse at a police station before being expelled.
The rate of deportations has surged recently, with Taliban officials reporting that as many as 3,000 Afghans are sent back from Iran each day. This year alone, over half a million Afghans have reportedly been forcibly evicted, as anti-Afghan sentiment grows in Iran following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.
In a concerning statement earlier this month, Iranian police chief Ahmad Reza Radan announced plans to expel approximately 2 million Afghans by March 2025. This announcement coincided with a proposal from Iranian lawmakers to reduce the number of migrants—predominantly Afghans—by 10 per cent each year.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that around 4 million Afghans reside in Iran, the majority of whom are undocumented migrants. However, Iranian media suggest that the actual number could be as high as 8 million. In a bid to curb the influx, Iran has recently constructed a wall along more than 10 kilometers of its 900-kilometer eastern border with Afghanistan, which serves as a primary entry point for refugees.
Increase in Violence
Reports have emerged of rising harassment and abuse of Afghan migrants in Iran. In Kerman Province, known for its large Afghan community, there have been allegations of Afghans being denied access to subsidized bread. Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni described the issue of illegal migrants as “sensitive,” urging the government to avoid policies that might exacerbate anti-migrant sentiment.
The situation has led to a notable increase in violence against Afghans in Iran. In August, a video surfaced showing an Afghan teenager being violently restrained by Iranian police, which ignited widespread outrage. Discrimination and harassment have long been a reality for Afghans in Iran, but many report that the pressure is intensifying.
Omid Poya, an exiled Afghan journalist residing in Iran, highlighted the struggles facing the Afghan community: “We have lots of problems here. Afghans are facing discrimination and persecution.”
Human rights activist Hudaya Sahibzada urged Iranian authorities to halt the deportation of Afghans, particularly those who are vulnerable to retaliation from the Taliban. She noted, “The forcible deportation of Afghan refugees from Iran has intensified.
Among those deported have been journalists, former soldiers, and activists. Some of them have been killed.” As the Afghan delegation prepares for its visit to Iran, the outcomes of these discussions could significantly impact the lives of countless Afghan migrants facing dire circumstances in Iran, underscoring the urgent need for international attention and intervention in the ongoing crisis.
Image: Wikimedia
