Afghanistan asks Iran for ‘patience’ on returning refugees

ISTANBUL

The Afghan Interim Administration asked Iran on Thursday to see the return of Afghan refugees us done with “gradualism, dignity, and in conformity with the principles of good neighborly relations.”

“In accordance with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s responsibilities concerning Afghan refugees, we have consistently urged the Iranian authorities to ensure that the deportation process is implemented with gradualism, dignity, and in conformity with the principles of good neighborly relations,” according to a statement by the interim prime minister’s office.

It urged Iran to abstain from actions “that may infringe upon the rights or dignity of Afghan refugees” so they can properly repatriate their property and financial assets with adequate facilities at refugee transit centers.

The statement noted that the refugees experienced hardships under extreme heat, and praised Iran's efforts to repatriate them.

Nearly 500,000 Afghans have returned from Iran in a little more than a month, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) told Anadolu on Monday, ahead of Tehran’s deadline for the undocumented refugees to leave by July 6.

Tehran launched a campaign in 2023 to expel foreigners it said were living “illegally” in the country. In March, Iran ordered that the estimated 4 million undocumented Afghans should leave voluntarily or face deportation.

Between June 1 and July 5, a total of 449,218 Afghan migrants returned from Iran, according to Zuhal Nabi, the IOM’s communications associate from Kabul.

He said that "approximately 50% returned spontaneously, while the remaining 50% were pushed back."