Two prominent Afghan anti-Taliban groups have called on Iran to reconsider its stepped-up deportations of Afghan migrants, urging Tehran to adopt a more patient and tolerant approach.
In a statement released Tuesday, 1 July, the National Resistance Front (NRF) said Iran should “avoid harsh treatment” of Afghan refugees, warning that many Afghans view migration to neighbouring countries as a matter of survival under Taliban rule.
“The dire situation in Afghanistan leaves our people with little choice,” the NRF said, thanking the Iranian public for hosting Afghan refugees and pledging to pursue migrants’ concerns “seriously and through reasonable and effective channels.”
Separately, the Jamiat-e-Islami party, led by former foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani, urged Iran to factor in Afghanistan’s ongoing political and economic crises when handling return of refugees. The party said deportations should be conducted “wisely and in full compliance with international standards,” and called on the global community to help improve Afghan refugees’ legal status in Iran.
Jamiat-e-Islami’s statement cited what it described as a “lack of legitimacy” in Afghanistan’s governing structure, a severe economic downturn and the dominance of “irresponsible groups” threatening domestic security.
The appeals come amid a surge in deportations from Iran. Rights groups have reported rising detentions and expulsions of undocumented Afghans in recent weeks, drawing criticism from Afghan civil-society groups and opposition factions. Last week, the Afghanistan Freedom Front also condemned mass returns as violations of international law and basic human dignity.
