Activists Call for a Halt to the Forced Expulsion of Afghan Refugees from Iran and Guarantees of Their Rights

In this open letter, published today, Thursday (September 26) by the Art and Culture Committee of the "Purple Saturdays Movement," it is stated that following the Taliban's takeover, Afghanistan has faced widespread security and human rights crises, forcing millions, especially women and children, to flee the country. Many of these refugees who have sought refuge in Iran are now facing the threat of forced expulsion, which is a clear violation of human rights and international law.

The activists in this letter also referred to the difficult living conditions of refugees in Iran and emphasized: "Afghan refugees who have lived in Iran for years in an atmosphere filled with fear and without legal protection have not only been deprived of their basic rights but have also faced injustice, racial discrimination, and insulting and humiliating treatment."

They stated that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as the agency responsible for protecting refugees in Iran, has "unacceptably failed" to fulfill its duties and has not been able to effectively defend the rights of refugees.

The letter includes demands such as an immediate halt to the forced expulsion of refugees, a reform of the performance of UN agencies in Iran, the issuance of work visas for professional Afghan migrants, and improved health, educational, and social support for refugees.

Emphasizing the need for urgent measures, the activists have called on the international community to pay more attention to the crisis of Afghan refugees in Iran and to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.