Afghan Migrants Facing Rights Violations In Iran, Says Taliban Deputy PM

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, 10 July, UNAMA warned that the policy, which requires prior approval of programme content and guest speakers by Taliban authorities, risks fostering fear and self-censorship among Afghan journalists and media outlets.

The directive, titled “Policy on Hosting Political Programmes (Roundtables) in Afghanistan”, was issued by the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture and circulated to domestic media organisations. Afghanistan International has obtained a copy of the four-page document.

Under the new rules, media outlets must seek prior approval from the Ministry before airing political content. Political analysts are also required to obtain official permission and carry a Taliban-issued ID card in order to participate in debates or news programmes.

The directive further instructs broadcasters to align all political content with the "policies of the Islamic Emirate" and warns that any material deemed contrary to Taliban governance, national unity, or Afghan values could result in punitive action, including the suspension or revocation of broadcasting licences.

Media outlets have also been directed to limit criticism of Taliban officials to “respectful tones” and remain within what the group defines as the boundaries of the law.

Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have gradually tightened their grip on Afghanistan’s media landscape. The latest directive is viewed as a formal escalation in the group's efforts to silence dissent and control public discourse.

Afghanistan’s press freedom has continued to decline under Taliban rule. According to the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, the country now ranks 175th out of 180 nations, with a press freedom score of just 17.88.

The arrest took place on Wednesday, at a mosque in District 15 of the capital. Malik was reportedly taken to an undisclosed location, and his current whereabouts remain unknown.

Sources told Afghanistan International that Malik had previously been arrested by the Taliban in 2022 over alleged links to the National Resistance Front (NRF), a claim his family continues to deny. He was released after spending two years in custody.

Relatives now fear renewed accusations could endanger his life or lead to further mistreatment in detention, especially in the absence of any public legal proceedings.

Mawlawi Abdul Malik is originally from the village of Abdullahkhil in Dara district, Panjshir province. He previously served as deputy head of the Ulema Council in Panjshir and was the head of the Abdul Wahid Islamic School in the province.

This is not the first time a member of his family has been targeted. On 7 April 2023, Taliban forces arrested his brother, Payinda Mohammad, a former officer in Afghanistan’s now-defunct National Directorate of Security (NDS). He was released after three months in custody.

According to the commission’s figures, 19197 migrants entered Afghanistan via the Islam Qala border crossing, while another 8405 returned through the Pul-e-Abrisham crossing.

The commission also reported that 315 migrants returned from Pakistan through the Spin Boldak border crossing, 465 via Torkham, and 12 others through the Angur Ada border point.

An Iranian official stated on Tuesday that more than 717000 Afghan migrants have been deported from Iran since the start of the current solar Hijri year.

Nader Yarahmadi, head of the Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants’ Affairs at Iran’s Ministry of Interior, said the deportations were carried out through three border crossings into Afghanistan.

He stressed that migrants without legal documentation must leave Iran.

Yarahmadi gave the precise number of deportees as 717658 and added that the deportation process is ongoing.

According to separate statements issued by the court, the men received between 20 and 39 lashes and were also sentenced to prison terms ranging from one to two years.

The floggings were reportedly carried out in the courtyards of the respective provincial courts, in the presence of local officials, court staff, and members of the public.

International human rights organisations have repeatedly condemned the Taliban’s use of corporal punishment, calling it a form of torture and a violation of international law. However, the Taliban continues to defend the practice, describing public floggings as part of the enforcement of “Islamic Sharia law.”

Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban has reinstated a number of punitive measures, including public executions, floggings, and amputations, despite international outcry.

According to figures released by the commission, 13324 individuals returned to Afghanistan via the Islam Qala border crossing, while 3289 crossed through the Pul-e-Abrisham border crossing.

The commission also stated that on the same day, 2010 migrant families re-entered the country through Islam Qala and 496 families through Pul-e-Abrisham.

In addition, the Taliban reported that 237 Afghan migrants returned from Pakistan through the Spin Boldak border crossing and another 255 via the Torkham crossing.

Iran and Pakistan have significantly increased deportations of undocumented Afghan nationals in recent months, citing security and legal concerns. Human rights groups have raised alarms over the conditions faced by deportees, many of whom lack access to basic services upon return.