An Iranian official has confirmed that nearly 100000 undocumented Afghan migrants were deported from Iran in the past week. The confirmation comes amid mounting criticism from rights groups over the treatment of Afghan nationals in Iran.
Hossein Jamshidi, governor of Taybad district in northeastern Iran, said on Sunday, 29 June, that more than 95000 Afghans had been identified across 11 provinces and deported via the Dogharoun border crossing with Afghanistan.
Jamshidi, who visited the border to oversee the return process, told reporters that approximately 8000 Afghans are being returned daily. “Undocumented Afghan nationals identified across the country are returned to Afghanistan through the Dogharoun border after legal procedures,” he said, adding that 250 buses are used daily to transport migrants.
He claimed that more than 90 percent of those deported had “voluntarily” left Iran. However, that assertion contradicts reports from human rights organisations and international bodies, which cite growing pressure and an intensifying wave of forced deportations.
While Iranian authorities insist that only undocumented migrants are being removed, numerous Afghan migrants, including those with valid passports and visas, have reported being detained and expelled. Testimonies collected by rights groups and media outlets also allege cases of violence, mistreatment, and the confiscation of personal belongings by Iranian security forces.
The deportations come amid a sharp increase in returns of Afghan migrants from Iran, with international agencies warning of a deepening humanitarian crisis at Afghanistan’s borders.
