Afghan Migrants in Iran: Silent Victims of Expulsion, Humiliation, and Dehumanization

Millions of Afghan migrants have lived in Iran for decades, contributing significantly to its economy, culture, and society. However, they are now being portrayed as a “threat” by state media and security policies, leading to their dehumanization and systemic abuse.

State media has published targeted reports depicting Afghan migrants as sources of insecurity, economic pressure, and even “spies for the enemy.” This propaganda has eroded public empathy, replacing compassion with judgment and, at times, violence.

Many migrants, including those with legal residency permits, have been abruptly detained and held in temporary camps lacking basic necessities such as water, food, and sanitation. Reports describe appalling conditions, with pregnant women giving birth in these camps without access to medical care or contact with their families. Families have been torn apart, with fathers deported to Afghanistan, mothers left in camps, and children left stranded and lost.

Unscrupulous individuals and human trafficking networks have exploited the vulnerable situation of migrants. Employers withhold wages, landlords confiscate deposits, and officials seize personal belongings during deportations, creating a chain of injustice and exploitation.

These actions blatantly violate the principle of non-refoulement under the 1951 Geneva Convention on Refugees, to which Iran is a signatory. They also contravene Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees the right to security, dignity, and a life free from discrimination.

Afghanistan, already grappling with economic collapse, unemployment, and destroyed infrastructure due to decades of war, is ill-equipped to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and education for hundreds of thousands of returning migrants. This mass expulsion not only inflicts suffering on migrants but also exacerbates Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis.

The international community, particularly the United Nations, human rights organizations, and free governments, must urgently respond to this crisis. If thousands of migrants are silently expelled and children are separated from their parents today, this tragedy will not remain confined to Iran or Afghanistan.

This is not just about migration or politics; it is about humanity. These are people who fled their homes, found hope, worked, and put down roots, only to be rejected. It is our collective responsibility to be their voice before silence buries the truth entirely.