Returnees Complain of Mistreatment by Iranian, Pakistani Police

As the deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan continues, some returnees complain of mistreatment by Iranian and Pakistani police.

They say they were beaten during detention, had money taken from them, and that some were even deported without their families.

Mubarez, a deportee from Iran, said: “The camp is a very bad place; they do not provide water or food. Migrants are not provided proper services. Food is sold at three times the normal price, and people are mistreated and beaten. They also take money from migrants; if you have money, they take it all. I had $2,200, and they took $500 from me and did not return it.”

Abdul Karim, a deportee from Iran, said: “Iranian officials told us to hand over all the money we had and said they would return it when they sent us back to our country. They took Afghanis, dollars, liras and tomans from us, but did not return them.”

Some other recent returnees are calling on the Islamic Emirate to provide employment opportunities inside the country so they will not be forced to leave Afghanistan and migrate again.

Nasir Ahmad, a deportee from Iran, said: “We call on the Islamic Emirate to provide employment opportunities so that we young people can work and will not be forced to leave the country.”

Local officials in Nimroz say returnees are being provided with various services, including shelter, cash assistance and basic necessities.

Abdullah Riaz, head of the Department of Refugees and Repatriation in Nimroz, said: “We have provided returnees with services including shelter, cash assistance and basic necessities. Nearly 2,500 Afghans return to Nimroz every day through the Pul-e-Abrisham crossing.”

Around 2,500 Afghans enter Nimroz through the Pul-e-Abrisham crossing each day, increasing the need for assistance for returnees.