Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Afghan Refugees Face Abuse and Severe Hardship in Iran and Afghanistan

Kokcha News Agency reports that massive forced expulsions of Afghan refugees from Iran have been accompanied by reports of brutal treatment, including torture, humiliation, and violent detention.

Videos circulated on social media show police beating refugees, forcibly removing them from their homes, and denying basic rights such as access to legal counsel. Many refugees describe being detained by force, their belongings seized, and their human dignity violated under the pretext of immigration enforcement.

In Herat, Afghanistan, the crisis has taken on a grim new dimension. The influx of expelled refugees has overwhelmed local resources—highlighted by scenes in public parks turned makeshift shelters and reports of widespread poverty and displacement.

Local residents and aid groups warn that without coordinated national response, Herat risks facing a humanitarian catastrophe. Families are struggling with shortages of food, shelter, and medical supplies, and many refugees lack access to proper care or safe living conditions.

Reports mention that some refugees who escaped violence and repression in Iran now face brutal treatment upon arrival in Afghanistan, with videos showing refugees beaten and forcibly transported by authorities. The situation has caused alarm among aid organizations and human rights advocates, who call for urgent international intervention.

Meanwhile, the Norwegian Refugee Council’s recent visit to border crossings reports that over 400,000 Afghan refugees have returned from Iran in just three weeks, with about 40,000 arriving daily.

Most of these recent arrivals are without shelter or basic necessities, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian emergency. UNHCR warns that projections indicate up to three million refugees could return this year under worsening conditions, with many facing deportation, humiliation, and neglect.

Experts emphasize that the current practices are causing a “chaotic, distressing, and humiliating” exodus, worsening Afghanistan’s already fragile humanitarian situation. Both Iran’s and Afghanistan’s governments are under international pressure to respect human rights and manage refugees humanely.