Iran Forcing Afghan Refugees into “Hell,” says EU Lawmaker
EU lawmaker Hannah Neumann has strongly condemned Iran’s mass deportation of Afghan refugees, describing it as a “collective failure” and a “forced return to hell without any legal process.”
In a powerful statement, Neumann, a Member of the European Parliament, criticized Iran for forcibly deporting Afghan migrants, calling it a “crime in progress” and accusing the Iranian government of sending vulnerable Afghans “back to hell,” violating international humanitarian laws, Khaama Press reported.
In a series of posts on X, analyst Elisabeth Neumann strongly condemned Iran’s mass expulsion of Afghan migrants, calling it “forced deportation on a massive scale, carried out through terror.” She criticized the lack of legal screening, asylum access, or lawful procedures. Neumann also highlighted the hypocrisy of the European Union, which three years ago encouraged Afghans to seek refuge in neighboring countries like Iran, given the current harsh treatment.
Neumann pointed out that Iran, a signatory to UN refugee protocols, is conducting “illegal mass deportations,” which she described as a “deliberate state policy.” Reports indicate that even Afghans with valid visas and educational certificates are being forcibly expelled. She underscored the dire situation for women, who are being “abandoned” without food or documents and denied shelter if they lack male guardians.
Stressing that Iran is not a safe host, and with little hope for protection from Pakistan or reintegration by the Taliban, Neumann urged the EU to open humanitarian visa pathways and safe exit corridors for Afghan refugees. She also called for urgent emergency funding for UNHCR and IOM to address the crisis.
Migrants deported from Iran face severe housing shortages in Herat, where rental prices have doubled due to a surge in returnees and pressure on local infrastructure. Reports describe poor treatment by Iranian authorities. Over 450,000 Afghans have returned from Iran since June, overwhelming Herat’s limited housing and services. Humanitarian groups warn that Afghanistan’s fragile infrastructure cannot cope with this influx, especially in key urban areas like Herat.
