Nearly 240,000 Afghan Migrants Return from Iran in One Month

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that nearly 240,000 Afghan migrants returned to their country from Iran in the past month.

According to the report, around 43% of these returnees were forcibly expelled by Iranian authorities, while the remaining migrants returned voluntarily to Afghanistan.

The report notes that this is the highest number of returnees from Iran to Afghanistan in a single month this year.
Meanwhile, some Afghan migrants in neighboring countries report facing serious challenges, including forced deportations and mistreatment. They are calling for these issues to be addressed.

Mohammad Reza, an Afghan migrant in Pakistan, told TOLOnews: “We are facing numerous challenges in Islamabad, including the lack of employment and educational opportunities.”

Akbar Soltani, an Afghan migrant in Iran, told TOLOnews: “For those who are undocumented, they say you came here illegally, so we will deport you. But those who have documents, such as cards and passports, their rights should be respected.”

Afghan migrants in neighboring countries, particularly in Iran and Pakistan, have long faced mistreatment and economic and social challenges—issues that have worsened in recent months, or perhaps even years, in these two countries.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that 17 European countries, including Germany and France, have sent a letter to the European Commission, urging the acceleration of the process of deporting illegal migrants back to their countries.

Mohammad Baqir Ahmadi, a migrant rights activist, told TOLOnews: “The process of reviewing asylum applications should be faster and more efficient so that migrants are not left in an uncertain situation for long periods. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen such initiatives from UNHCR, at least not in Pakistan.”

Ali Reza Karimi, another migrant rights activist, said: “The situation for Afghan migrants in neighboring countries is becoming increasingly difficult.”

Previously, Iran’s interior minister told reporters that his country could no longer accommodate Afghan nationals and that the deportation of illegal migrants is one of Iran’s priorities.