Forced Deportation of Afghan Migrants from Iran Increases

Local officials in Herat say the forced deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran has increased in recent days.

According to figures from the Directorate of Refugee Affairs at the Islam Qala border, more than 2,000 people enter Afghanistan from Iran through this crossing every day.

Abdul Ghani Qazizada, registration officer at the Directorate of Refugee Affairs at the Islam Qala border, said: “Previously, the number of forced returnees was lower and voluntary returnees were higher; but now deportations have increased, while the number of voluntary returnees has declined.”

Some Afghans deported from Iran speak of the hardships of life there and call for job opportunities to be provided inside the country.

Naser, one of those deported from Iran, said: “Now that I have returned to my country, I hope the situation will be good and peaceful so that I can work in my own country.”

Hazrat Gul, another deportee, said: “Our demand is that job opportunities be created inside the country. We did not leave our families and homeland without reason to migrate to Iran.”

Some of these individuals had attempted to enter Iran illegally, but were arrested by Iranian police at the border and returned to Afghanistan.

Fathullah, one of the deportees, said: “We were at the border last night when it rained, and we got completely soaked. Iranian police arrested us. Migration is very difficult, and we ask God to provide job opportunities in our own country.”

Abdul Wasi said: “I spent two nights at the border and wanted to go to Iran for work, but I was arrested and have now returned to the country. I have no money to go home, and I have come here for assistance.”

Mohammad Yaqoob also said: “We spent three nights at the border, and conditions are very difficult. I wanted to go to Iran for work, but they do not issue visas, and inside the country I have neither agricultural land nor job opportunities.”

During the 40-day conflict between the United States and Israel with Iran, the deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran had declined significantly. At that time, most Afghans returned to the country voluntarily due to concerns over the war.