IOM Reports 1.2 Million Afghan Migrants Returned from Iran in 2024
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has announced that approximately 1.2 million undocumented Afghan migrants returned from Iran throughout 2024, Amu TV reported.
The report indicates that 67 percent of these returnees were forcibly deported.
The IOM highlighted that, with support from the European Union and other donors, it provided humanitarian assistance to over 324,000 returnees during this period. This assistance is crucial as many returnees face significant challenges upon their arrival in Afghanistan.
The report emerges amid heightened deportation efforts by neighboring countries, particularly Iran. Iranian authorities have intensified their deportation practices, with recent reports indicating that Afghan migrants in Kerman Province have had their bank accounts suspended, further complicating their situation.
In addition to Iran, Pakistan has also seen a rise in forced deportations. Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan have reported being arrested by police, even when they possess valid legal documents. These developments reflect the increasing challenges faced by Afghan migrants as they navigate their status in neighboring countries.