Afghan refugees in Iran concerned over escalating deportations and harassment

Afghan refugees residing in Iran have voiced distress over increasing deportation, arrests, and harassment by the authorities, according to a report by TOLO News.

This comes as the Taliban has urged neighbouring countries not to forcibly deport Afghan refugees. Pakistan has also intensified its deportation efforts, joining Iran in these actions.

Many Afghan refugees in Iran are apprehensive about returning to Afghanistan due to a surge in harassment and deportations. Enayatullah Alokozay, a member of the defenders of Afghan refugees in Iran, said, "There is forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Iran. It has been going on, and these days the process is progressing more quickly."

Representatives of Afghan refugees in Iran have criticised both the Iranian government and the international community, asserting that they lack adequate support and urging them to address the challenges faced by Afghan refugees. Spogmai Jabbarkhil, an Afghan refugees' representative in Iran, highlighted that "Afghan refugees in Iran face various challenges in the employment market, with housing and the lack of identity documents," reported ANI.

Asefa Stanikzai, a refugee affairs analyst, underlined that Afghan refugees in Iran encounter difficulties in areas such as employment, housing, and the absence of identity documents.

The Taliban has conveyed a message to neighbouring countries, calling for the humane treatment of Afghan refugees and urging them not to forcibly deport them. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said, "Do not deport refugees by force and do not treat them illegally. Our message to Iran and Pakistan is to be tolerant of the migrants, not to be oppressive and stop the persecution."

According to the Herat Department of Refugees and Repatriations, over 20,000 Afghan refugees have returned from Iran in the past week.

Simultaneously, more than 6,500 Afghan nationals left Pakistan through the Torkham border, bringing the total number of repatriated Afghans to over 174,350. The Pakistani government has set a deadline for all unregistered foreign nationals to leave Pakistan by October 31, and it has begun enforcing the law against those who remain.

While voluntary repatriation is still ongoing, the number of Afghans returning to Afghanistan has been gradually decreasing in recent days.