Nader YarAhmadi, head of the Center for Foreign Nationals and Immigrants Affairs at Iran’s Ministry of Interior, stated that over 4,000 Afghan nationals with valid passports and visas enter Iran daily. He noted that more than 500,000 visas are issued annually to Afghans.
According to YarAhmadi, air travel capacity in Afghanistan is very limited, with only about 1% of Afghans entering Iran via air routes. Most rely on land crossings for their migration.
During a meeting with the governor of Kerman on Wednesday, November20, YarAhmadi attributed migration to “regional and natural crises” and estimated the number of Afghans in Iran to be nearly six million.
YarAhmadi criticized efforts by the UN and the UNHCR to grant legal status to anyone crossing borders, stating that the Islamic Republic does not accept such an approach. He also highlighted the high cost of obtaining passports in Afghanistan, claiming it contributes to nearly 20% of the country’s revenue.
The plight of Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan has worsened amid forced deportations, harassment, and human rights violations. Refugees face discrimination, limited access to legal work opportunities, and poor living conditions, leaving many in a state of despair.
The dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan exacerbates their struggles, with severe food shortages, lack of basic services, and political instability forcing many to flee. However, as winter approaches, the challenges for displaced Afghans in neighboring countries are expected to escalate.
The international community must urgently address the dual crises of refugee rights violations and the humanitarian emergency in Afghanistan. Enhanced support for refugees and diplomatic pressure on host countries to uphold human rights could provide relief and stability during these critical times.
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