Iranian authorities have stepped up forced deportation of Afghan refugees, sending as many as 3000 back daily, as Tehran grapples with growing numbers of people trying to escape the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Over a million Afghans fled to neighboring Iran since the Taliban take over power last year.

At least 3000 Afghans are coming from Iran daily, reported Ariana news, citing a Taliban official. In the last two days, 7500 people crossed back into Afghanistan from the border with Iran, the report added. Most returnees were forced by Iranian authorities, according to the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees.

Significantly, Iran has been hosting millions of Afghan refugees since the conflict began in Afghanistan in the 1980s. However, since August last year, when the Taliban came to power, over a million Afghans fled to Iran, taking the total number of Afghan refugees in the country to almost five million.

Western sanctions following the Taliban’s takeover and cuts in international development assistance funds, earlier making up to 70 percent of the government’s expenditure, plunged the country into one of the worst humanitarian crises.

Earlier a nice host, Iran’s attitude towards Afghan refugees has reportedly changed dramatically in recent months. Those who have returned complained of extortion, harassment, and heavy-handedness by Iranians, the report said.

On the other hand, Tehran also seems concerned, especially when aid and resources would become scarce in the wake of a new refugee crisis in Europe due to the war in Ukraine. 

“Issues such as the influx of immigrants into Iran, the lack of capacity to accept new immigrants, and diplomatic issues have led to an increase in forced returns,” Asifa Stanikzai, an immigration rights activist in Iran, was quoted as saying by Ariana news.

Significantly, the issue was also raised at the recently held foreign ministers meeting on Afghanistan of regional countries in China.

Speaking at the meeting last month, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossain Amir Abdollahian expressed “grave concern” over the rising number of Afghan refugees in his country.

“There is a grave concern in this regard, especially at a time when international organizations pay little attention to refugees in countries neighboring Afghanistan,” the minister said in the meeting, according to a statement issued by Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Bilal Karimi, the Taliban’s deputy spokesperson said, “The Islamic Emirate [Taliban] wants Iran to be a good host, as in previous years, until a normal situation returns in Afghanistan.” He also added the Taliban government will extend all cooperation and help those willing to return. 

(SAM)