Forced deportations are on the rise in Iran, with Afghan migrants facing increasing pressure to leave the country. Iran’s Economic News Agency recently reported that banners have appeared in various areas of Fars Province. These banners give Afghan residents a two-month deadline to vacate their homes and leave these regions.
Earlier, a similar forced deportation warning was reported by an Afghan migrant from Isfahan. This individual noted that the Koh-e Rah Haq region also had a similar two-month deadline posted.
According to the Iranian news agency, images of banners instructing Afghan migrants to leave have been circulating on social media. These banners were spotted in the city of Tasuj and the villages of Dashtak and Vali Asr. The banners clearly state that Afghan migrants must return their rented homes to their owners within two months. Forced deportations are threatened against those who do not comply with these orders.
The responsibility for putting up these banners remains unclear. However, images shared on social media and by Iranian news outlets show specific deadlines. In Vali Asr village, the deadline for Afghan migrants to leave is October 22. Meanwhile, in Dashtak village, the deadline is September 21.
This situation underscores the ongoing forced deportations and human rights violations in the region. Afghan refugees in both Iran and Pakistan are facing increasing pressure, with forced deportations occurring despite the dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. These actions raise serious concerns about the safety and well-being of the Afghan migrants being sent back to a country plagued by conflict, poverty, and instability.
Forced deportations amid such a crisis violate international human rights obligations, including the principle of non-refoulement. This principle prohibits returning individuals to a country where they may face serious harm. The forced deportations carried out by Iran and Pakistan are exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Thousands of vulnerable people are being put at risk as they are forced to return to an unstable and dangerous situation.
The international community must urgently address these violations to protect the rights and lives of Afghan refugees. Forced deportations should not continue in the face of such grave risks. The safety and human rights of these refugees must be prioritized.
