Iran Urges Afghan Migrants to Follow National Laws

Gholam Reza Najari, deputy ambassador of Iran in Kabul, said that his country’s policy toward Afghan migrants is based on the possession of legal documentation.

In an interview , he said that Afghan migrants in Iran are expected to comply with Iranian laws to prevent any challenges in the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The deputy ambassador in Kabul stated: “We respectfully urge Afghan migrants residing in Iran to observe Iranian domestic laws and regulations to avoid potential legal consequences and prevent any strain on diplomatic relations between our two nations.”

Meanwhile, some Afghan migrants who are living legally in Iran have shared their concerns about the challenges they face.

Hadi Hosseini, an Afghan migrant in Iran, said: “A new law has been enacted this year that requires migrants to obtain an exit permit, giving them only 15 to 20 days to leave Iran. Another issue relates to education: those with census registration cards can send their children to school only up to ninth grade; beyond that, further education is not allowed.”

Enayatullah Alkozai, another Afghan migrant in Iran, stated: “Their rights are not being upheld. Many cannot leave their homes to earn a living. In many cases, their families remain in Iran while they themselves are deported.”

Nazar Nazari, a migrant rights activist, said: “These migrants should not be viewed through a different lens. The treatment they receive must be consistent and in line with international migration laws.”

Just a day earlier, the acting minister of labor and social affairs criticized travel agencies facilitating visas to neighboring countries. He stated that these agencies, by exploiting the desperation of young people, are creating significant challenges and are in effect contributing to human trafficking.