Abstract
This article examines the Islamic Republic of Iran’s treatment of Afghan migrants. First, it reviews the general situation of Afghan migrants in Iran. It then outlines Iran’s obligations under the 1951 Geneva Convention and its 1967 Protocol. The next section focuses on credible reports and evidence regarding the conduct of Iranian security forces, including forced expulsions, violence, confiscation of property and documents, and unfounded accusations. These claims are substantiated by respected sources such as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Amnesty International, and documented media reports [4]. In the legal analysis, these actions are measured against fundamental principles of refugee law—particularly the principle of non-refoulement—demonstrating that many of these practices contravene Iran’s international commitments. The article then explores the social and humanitarian consequences of mass expulsions, including re-displacement, poverty, and insecurity, before concluding with policy recommendations, such as adherence to legal obligations, facilitating refugee status determination, and enhancing international support.
Introduction
Over the past four decades, Iran has hosted one of the world’s largest urban refugee and migrant populations. According to official UNHCR figures, approximately one million refugees live in Iran, of whom 750,000 are Afghan nationals. Following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, a new wave of Afghan migrants arrived, and over 1.5 million have since registered. However, Iranian government sources estimate between 4–8 million Afghan migrants. Additionally, millions more reside in Iran on Amayesh cards or without documentation. Today, following more than 40 years of crisis in Afghanistan, some five million Afghan migrants live in neighboring countries—90% in Iran and Pakistan. Recently, pressure on Afghan migrants in Iran has escalated: mass expulsions, invalidation of Amayesh cards and censuses, and new restrictions now endanger over two million migrants with renewed displacement [1]. International and human rights organizations have repeatedly warned of “forced expulsions,” “physical violence,” “confiscation of property and documents,” and “unfounded accusations.” This article first considers Iran’s legal obligations under refugee conventions, reviews field evidence of security forces’ behavior, then analyzes the legal implications and humanitarian impact, and finally offers practical policy solutions.
The 1951 Convention, the 1967 Protocol, and Iran’s Legal Obligations
The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol constitute the primary international legal framework for protecting refugees. These instruments define key concepts, including “refugee” and the critical principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to territories where they face threats to life, torture, or persecution. Iran acceded to the Convention and Protocol on 28 July 1976, thereby committing to their provisions. While Iran has declared certain reservations, it has accepted the fundamental obligation to protect refugees. Under these commitments, Iran must allow individuals to apply for asylum and refrain from forcibly returning them unless the return is voluntary, safe, and secure. The UN has repeatedly emphasized that refugee returns must be voluntary, safe, and dignified and that any form of coercion or pressure is “unacceptable” and “destabilizing” [2].
Verified Reports of Iranian Security Forces’ Conduct toward Afghan Migrants
Forced Expulsions
In recent years, the Iranian government has issued several deadlines requiring undocumented migrants to leave the country. In 2025 alone, over 366,000 Afghan migrants were forcibly expelled from Iran [5]. Investigations show that many of these returns involved threats and coercion. For example, in a single day in June 2025, more than 36,000 Afghan migrants were expelled. A UNHCR deputy chief warned that these expulsions were carried out “without regard to humanitarian considerations,” exposing families — particularly women and children — to danger. Reports further indicate that many lacked the opportunity to apply for refugee status or access judicial review before expulsion [6][2].
Violence and Physical Abuse
Numerous reports from deported Afghan migrants indicate that they have experienced physical abuse during arrest or expulsion. In a 2013 report, Human Rights Watch confirmed that Afghan asylum seekers were subjected to beatings, detention in inhumane conditions, and forced labor while in Iranian custody [3][4]. Recent accounts also document widespread arrests by Iranian officials in residential areas, workplaces, and even public streets. In some cases, migrants were coerced into forced confessions, while their identity documents were either confiscated or destroyed. Additional reports suggest that Afghan students have been denied access to education, and families resisting deportation have faced psychological and social intimidation.
Confiscation of Property and Documents
Field studies show that during deportations, authorities often deny migrants the opportunity to collect their assets or claim their financial rights. Some deportees report being denied the chance to collect wages, retrieve personal belongings, or secure essential documents before being forcibly returned to Afghanistan [6]. Furthermore, bureaucratic obstacles in renewing Amayesh cards and the rigid enforcement by relevant agencies have led to a situation where even legally documented refugees are effectively left in legal limbo.
Baseless Accusations and Negative Propaganda
Media aligned with the Iranian government have occasionally engaged in xenophobic propaganda, portraying Afghans as sources of “insecurity,” “crime,” and even “espionage for Israel” [4]. For instance, during the recent Iran–Israel conflict, some Iranian officials and media outlets unjustifiably accused Afghan migrants of colluding with the enemy. Such groundless accusations have fueled public animosity and served to justify harsh crackdowns on migrants [4]. Crime is an individual act, and every perpetrator should be held accountable under the law. While migration status does not confer immunity, collectively scapegoating an entire refugee population represents a deeply flawed and inhumane approach.
Comprehensive evidence suggests that Iran’s current immigration policies combine mass expulsions with repressive practices against migrants. Reports indicate that these actions have become routine political instruments, involving home raids, family separations, imposition of heavy fines, and the transfer of migrants to Taliban authorities without adequate coordination [6].
Legal Analysis of Iran’s Conduct
These actions stand in clear violation of Iran’s international obligations. The Refugee Convention considers the principle of non-refoulement to be foundational and applies it regardless of whether a person has formally initiated an asylum claim [1]. According to Article 33, Paragraph 1 of the Convention, “No contracting state shall expel or return a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom would be threatened.” Iran’s recent forced deportations of Afghans to a country plagued by rising insecurity and oppression are a direct violation of this provision [2]. Beyond the principle of non-refoulement, basic human rights have also been breached. Every individual—even those without legal status—has the right to preserve family unity and private life, and to be protected from torture or mistreatment [4]. Recent evidence shows repeated violations of these rights: Afghan children have been denied education or subjected to discrimination. From a human rights perspective, Iran was obligated to protect Afghan migrants from abuse. Yet in many cases, repressive actions have instead been normalized and even sanctioned. The Refugee Convention also requires Iran to establish fair procedures for processing asylum claims. However, reports from the field suggest that Iran’s administrative processes are overly complex, costly, and inaccessible to poor or uneducated migrants [6]. Under international humanitarian and refugee law, even individuals who have lost their legal status are entitled to request asylum and must not be deported until their claims have been fully adjudicated [6]. In conclusion, Iran’s persistent pressure to expel migrants forcibly and its denial of access to legal recourse constitute a flagrant breach of its obligations under the Refugee Convention and international humanitarian law.
Social and Human Consequences of Deportations
The mass forced deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran carries profound humanitarian and social consequences. Families often return to Afghanistan in extreme poverty and distress. Reports indicate that many deportees arrive with less than $30 in their possession and without any humanitarian assistance. Lacking basic shelter, food, and medical care, returnees face severe hardship [2]. The sudden influx of returnees has placed immense strain on Afghanistan’s western provinces, regions already grappling with deep economic challenges and insecurity. According to the Refugee Return Support Fund, international aid has sharply declined, while available support services remain critically under-resourced [2]. Beyond economic hardship, the psychological and human costs are equally dire. Family separations during deportations, the detention of women and children, and threats of violence have triggered widespread fear and trauma among returnees [2]. In some instances, the desperation has led to suicide and self-immolation, including a former Afghan Air Force pilot who reportedly set himself on fire [2]. Local schools and universities in western Afghanistan have also been overwhelmed, with the surge in student numbers leading to overcrowding and a decline in educational services. Ultimately, widespread and unlawful deportations threaten regional stability. The forced return of millions of people increases the risks of poverty, displacement, and social unrest. Both the United Nations and humanitarian agencies have warned that this scale of involuntary repatriation could trigger new humanitarian crises and further deteriorate conditions in Afghanistan [2].
Policy Recommendations
1) Ensure Voluntary and Lawful Return
The Iranian government must revoke all forced deportation deadlines and ensure that returns are strictly voluntary and monitored by international bodies. According to global refugee protection standards, states are obligated to provide legal recourse for asylum seekers. As such, individuals must be granted the opportunity to apply for asylum and have their claims processed fairly and without discrimination [2].
2) Safeguard Legal Documents and Employment Rights
Iran should simplify and make more equitable the processes for issuing and renewing identity documents, such as Amayesh cards and work visas, to enable migrants to participate legally in the economy. Furthermore, in the case of deportation, the state must guarantee that legally documented Afghan nationals are not stripped of their earned wages, personal belongings, or identification documents [6].
3) Public Education and Awareness
Iranian host communities must be educated about refugee rights and the realities of forced migration through awareness campaigns. Civil society organizations and the media can play a crucial role in reducing hate speech and preventing the scapegoating of Afghans as “imagined enemies.”
4) Strengthen International Support
The global community must expand humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and increase resettlement opportunities for vulnerable refugees in third countries. As noted by the Deputy Commissioner of UNHCR, returning thousands of refugees without adequate support will only deepen instability [2]. Thus, international actors must enhance cooperation with both Iran and the Taliban regime to manage this crisis effectively.
5) Legal Accountability and Monitoring
Human rights organizations and refugee advocates must document violations against Afghan refugees and hold Iranian authorities accountable. Reaffirming the obligations of the 1951 Refugee Convention and informing governments of the legal ramifications of coercive policies—such as the breach of non-refoulement—can pressure Iran to reform its migration practices.
Conclusion
The recent treatment of Afghan migrants in Iran reveals a stark divergence between the country’s current migration policies and its international obligations. Mass deportations and accompanying violence have taken place without adequate legal frameworks and in violation of core principles of refugee protection. The result has been a worsening humanitarian crisis at the borders and a systematic erosion of migrants’ fundamental rights. To mitigate these harms and uphold its international commitments, Iran must fundamentally reassess its migration strategy. Reinvigorating international cooperation, honoring the right to asylum, and providing legal and social support for refugees are essential steps. Only by adhering to international legal standards and respecting human dignity can Iran prevent the emergence of new social and humanitarian catastrophes.
References
- (2025). Refugees in Iran. Retrieved 2025, from https://www.unhcr.org
- (2025). Return of Afghans from Iran Under Dire Conditions (Press Release). Retrieved 2025, from https://www.unhcr.org
- Human Rights Watch. (2013). Unwelcome Guests: Mistreatment of Afghan Refugees and Migrants in Iran. Retrieved 2013, from https://www.hrw.org
- Amnesty International. (2024). Iran 2024: Annual Human Rights Report. Retrieved 2025, from https://www.amnesty.org
- Associated Press. (2023). At Least 1.2 Million Afghans Forced to Return from Iran and Pakistan This Year. Retrieved 2025, from https://www.apnews.com
- Mohammadi, Abdullah. (June 2025). Iran’s Deportation Campaign and the Growing Crisis of Forced Return. The Diplomat. Retrieved from https://www.thediplomat.com
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