KABUL, JUL 11: With the unprecedented increase in the deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran, the Prime Minister’s Office of the Islamic Emirate, while appreciating Iran’s four-decade-long hospitality, has called for a gradual and dignified management of this process.
The Islamic Emirate has asked Iranian authorities to avoid any humiliating behavior and violations of human rights during the deportation process.
Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, said: “Regarding Afghan migrants, based on the Islamic Emirate’s responsibility, we have always requested the Iranian side to observe principles of gradualness, dignity, and good neighborliness in the deportation process, so that on one hand, the rights of migrants are upheld during deportation, and on the other hand, Afghan government departments can properly manage migrant affairs.”
Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that in just the past 9 days, more than 264,000 Afghan migrants have returned from Iran.
Reports indicate that many of these individuals have returned to Afghanistan in the sweltering summer heat and without adequate access to basic necessities.
The Norwegian Refugee Council has also emphasized support for these migrants.
Jacopo Caridi, County Director for NRC in Afghanistan, said: “The last three weeks, 400,000 people returned without anything in their hands. They don’t have a job, they don’t have a future in Afghanistan. We are here to support the people on the border crossing with shelter and legal assistance.The needs are very high and we can’t cover everybody. We ask the International Community to support us more and to better dialogue between Iran and Afghanistan on the returnees process.”
Some of the deported migrants, who are facing challenges, have appeals to the caretaker government.
“We made an effort and came to Afghanistan. We are uneducated; at least provide education for our children so they can have a brighter future. This is our request from the Islamic Emirate,” said Najibullah, deported from Iran.
“We have no money now. We don’t know what to do. We ask the Islamic Emirate government to help us. We are worried about our future,” said Qudratullah, another deportee from Iran.
Meanwhile, the Administrative Deputy of the Prime Minister’s Office of the Islamic Emirate announced at a press conference yesterday that since the beginning of June, over 500,000 Afghan citizens have returned from Iran.
