IRANIAN GOVERNMENT PLANS TO DEPORT 2 MILLION AFGHAN NATIONALS THIS YEAR

Sat 12 October 2024:

Iran has stepped up efforts to deport Afghan migrants and said that by the end of March next year, two million undocumented migrants will be “expelled” from the country.

According to Iranian media reports, Ahmad Reza Radan, the commander-in-chief of Iran’s law enforcement, stated that “over 750,000 illegal migrants” have already been deported from Iran, and this number will total two million by the end of the current solar year.

Radan said: “This year alone, over 500,000 illegal migrants have been arrested and deported from Iran, and as a result, 250,000 others have voluntarily turned themselves in and left the country.”

The mass deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran has raised concerns among human rights organizations, and as tensions between Iran and Afghanistan continue to rise over this issue, international bodies are urging both governments to engage in dialogue and find a solution that ensures the safety and dignity of Afghan migrants while addressing Iran’s concerns over illegal immigration.

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Afghan migrants in Iran face a challenging and often precarious situation, shaped by decades of political instability, economic hardship, and conflict in Afghanistan. Iran is home to millions of Afghan refugees and migrants, many of whom fled during the Soviet invasion in the 1980s, the Taliban rule, or more recently, after the U.S. withdrawal and the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

Despite their large presence, Afghan migrants often live in difficult conditions. Many lack legal status, which limits their access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and formal employment. Though Iran provides some services to registered refugees, undocumented Afghans face heightened risks of deportation, exploitation, and discrimination. They often work in low-paying, informal jobs, particularly in construction and agriculture, under harsh conditions.

The economic situation in Iran, worsened by U.S. sanctions and inflation, has made life harder for both Iranians and Afghan migrants, leading to increased anti-migrant sentiment in some areas. In 2021 and 2022, there were reports of mass deportations of Afghans, with many sent back to a war-torn and unstable Afghanistan.

Despite these hardships, some Afghan children have access to education through Iranian schools, and humanitarian organizations are trying to provide support. However, the sheer number of Afghan migrants and the ongoing political tension between Afghanistan and Iran make it difficult to address all their needs, leaving many in a state of uncertainty.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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