Iran Expels 2,783 Afghan Migrants Amid Humanitarian Crisis

Iran expelled 2,783 Afghan migrants through the Islam Qala border crossing, as Afghanistan continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis. The deported migrants, who had previously sought refuge in Pakistan, expressed deep concerns about their future and called upon the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to provide them with shelter and job opportunities.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), over 548,900 Afghan migrants have been deported from September 2023 to April 6, 2024. Among the deportees, a staggering 62% are children and adolescents, with 20% being children under the age of five. Women make up 48% of the deported population. Asifa Stanikzai, a migrant rights activist, urged the Afghan government to engage in diplomatic consultations with Pakistan and international organizations to address the issue of forced deportations.

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations in Afghanistan reported that nearly 2,800 Afghan migrants were returned from Pakistan and Iran on the same day. Hundreds of these Afghan migrants who fled to Iran are now living in squalid camps in the city of Zahedan, battling hunger, dehydration, and poor living conditions as they await their return to Afghanistan. The influx of Afghan refugees has come at a time when Iran is already struggling with economic woes due to international sanctions.

Why this matters: The forced deportation of Afghan migrants highlights the dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and the challenges faced by neighboring countries in managing the refugee crisis. The international community must work together to provide support and find sustainable solutions for the displaced Afghan population.

Taliban officials have stated their commitment to the safe return of the refugees, but little progress has been made to address the situation. The refugees face harassment from Iranian authorities, and international human rights groups have documented years of violations against Afghan refugees and migrants in Iran, including physical abuse, detention in inhumane conditions, forced labor, and family separation. The U.S. State Department's annual human rights report for 2023 also highlighted human rights abuses committed by the Iranian regime, including harsh punishments, discrimination against women, and the suppression of dissent.

The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has been exacerbated by the Taliban's rule, which has limited women's access to education and jobs, confining them to domestic responsibilities. The forced repatriation of Afghan children from Pakistan has further strained the already stretched system in Afghanistan, with many returnees facing persecution, lack of food, shelter, and employment opportunities. "Almost two-thirds of the returned children have not been enrolled in school, as most lack the necessary documents, and the Taliban has banned girls' education beyond the sixth grade," according to a survey by Save the Children.

Key Takeaways

• Iran expelled 2,783 Afghan migrants on April 24, 2024 via Islam Qala border.
• Over 548,900 Afghan migrants deported from Sep 2023 to Apr 2024, 62% children/teens.
• Afghan migrants in Iran live in squalid camps, face hunger, dehydration, poor conditions.
• Taliban's rule limits women's access to education, jobs; Afghan children lack schooling.
• International community must address dire humanitarian crisis and refugee situation in Afghanistan.