Urgent Appeal for the Immediate Halt of Forced Deportations and Protection of the Rights of Afghanistani Refugees: Open Letter to the Honorable Secretary-General of the United Nations and International Organizations Supporting Migrant Rights.
Afghan News24 AfgNews24
Urgent Appeal for the Immediate Halt of Forced Deportations and Protection of the Rights of Afghanistani Refugees: Open Letter to the Honorable Secretary-General of the United Nations and International Organizations Supporting Migrant Rights.
Since the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan has been engulfed in profound and escalating crises across security, human rights, and humanitarian domains. The widespread violation of human rights, organized acts of vengeance by the Taliban, food insecurity, and pervasive social deprivation have forced millions, including women and children, to flee their homeland. Many of these refugees, who have sought shelter in neighboring countries such as Iran, now face the grave risk of forced deportation—an act that not only endangers their lives and well-being but also constitutes a clear violation of human rights and international law.
Afghanistani refugees in Iran, many of whom have lived for years in an atmosphere of fear and without legal protection, have not only been deprived of their basic rights but have also faced injustices, racial discrimination, and degrading treatment.
These harsh conditions have had devastating effects on their physical and mental health, plunging many of them into deep crisis. Unfortunately, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the body responsible for supporting refugees in Iran, has inexplicably failed in fulfilling its duties, unable to effectively defend the rights of Afghanistan refugees. This failure has exacerbated the already dire situation for Afghan refugees in Iran, leaving many unsure of where to turn for legal assistance or which authority is responsible for addressing their grievances.
With the Afghanistan Embassy now handed over to the Taliban and no legitimate or accountable government in Afghanistan, refugees are left in a state of permanent limbo and uncertainty. If urgent measures are not taken, this situation will only deepen the crisis.
In light of this, we, a group of Afghanistan intellectuals and social activists residing in Iran, present the following proposals and requests for the purpose of resolving the Afghanistan refugee crisis at its core:
1. Immediate halt to forced deportations of Afghanistan refugees: Afghanistan remains in a state of severe insecurity, and the forced return of refugees would place many of their lives in serious jeopardy. Forced deportation not only constitutes a flagrant violation of human rights standards but also exposes thousands of innocent individuals to significant risks. Therefore, we call for an immediate halt to the forced deportation of Afghanistan refugees from Iran and urge the provision of safe and legal residency for them, especially for women, children, and families, through the use of appropriate legal channels.
2. Reform and strengthening of UN agencies’ operations in Iran: The presence of the United Nations in supporting Afghanistan refugees in Iran has often been more symbolic than effective, and it has failed to address their fundamental problems. We propose the establishment of an independent or parallel body under UN oversight to closely monitor the situation of refugees, particularly Afghanistan in Iran, and to safeguard their rights. This body should collaborate with international organizations such as UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Labour Organization (ILO), to play a more effective role in improving the conditions for Afghanistan refugees.
3. Establishment of legal mechanisms for the issuance of work visas for skilled Afghanistan migrants: One practical and immediate way to support Afghanistan refugees is to provide work visas to skilled and professional individuals. Countries in need of skilled labor, such as Germany, Denmark, Australia, and Japan, can benefit from the expertise and experience of those who have worked effectively in Iran for years. This initiative would not only create employment opportunities and protect them from insecurity but also pave the way for a better future for both the refugees and the host countries.
4. Enhancement of accountability for international bodies and provision of access to health, education, and social support: We call on all international organizations and human rights bodies not to abandon Afghanistan refugees in this critical situation and not to rely on the insufficient and delayed actions of the United Nations. They must take a firm stance against the racism and injustices faced by refugees. Additionally, we call on the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to pass and implement comprehensive and effective laws in support of migrant rights, in accordance with international conventions, and to facilitate their oversight by international bodies.
We believe that by taking immediate and effective measures, the international community can play a crucial role in alleviating the crisis facing Afghanistan refugees in Iran and prevent further human tragedies.
With profound respect,
A Group of Afghanistan Intellectuals and Social Activists “Committee of Arts and Culture” Residing in Iran
