Iran is forcing out approximately two million Afghans from the country
In a concerning development, the Afghan diaspora in Iran faces a potential crisis as the Iranian government plans to deport up to 800,000 Afghans by March next year. This follows a series of deportations that have already seen approximately two million Afghans return to their homeland, according to UN refugee agency estimates.
The situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated significantly since the Taliban took power in August 2021, leading to widespread concerns about the safety and well-being of those returning. The German Institute for Human Rights has reported that arbitrary arrests, torture, and violence are commonplace in Afghanistan, and that freedom of expression is effectively abolished.
Women and girls are systematically disempowered in current Afghanistan, according to the same report. These findings have led German human rights activists to speak out against the deportations, arguing that they violate the internationally binding principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of refugees to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.
Nele Allenberg, a human rights activist, has stated that instead of further returns, legal escape routes for at-risk individuals are needed. She argues that the deportations are incompatible with Germany's human rights obligations.
Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni has defended the deportations, stating that they are targeted at illegal immigrants and not driven by xenophobia. He has also justified the measure due to Iran's dire economic situation, as the country faces its worst crisis ever due to the nuclear dispute with the West and international sanctions.
Many Afghans work in Iranian cities as cheap labor, often on construction sites or in small businesses. Unemployment and poverty are high, and public discontent is growing in Iran. The deportations are seen as a means to address these issues, although the impact on both countries remains to be seen.
This is not the first time such large-scale deportations have occurred. Since 2023, Iran and Pakistan have launched similar campaigns, leading to concerns about the safety and future of the Afghan diaspora in these countries.
As the situation unfolds, it is crucial to prioritise the safety and human rights of those affected. The international community must work together to ensure that legal escape routes are provided for those at risk, and that the principles of non-refoulement are upheld.
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