Taliban-run Ministry of Refugees on Tuesday dismissed a report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) regarding migration statistics from Afghanistan. The ministry claimed, on the contrary, that for the “first time,” 3.7 million refugees have returned to Afghanistan from neighboring countries, and this trend is ongoing.
The Taliban’s statement comes as Iran and Pakistan have been carrying out “forced deportations” of Afghan migrants over the past year.
IOM has reported that nearly 8 million Afghan citizens have migrated from the country since 2020.
According to the IOM, 85 percent of these migrants have moved to neighboring countries, primarily Iran, with nearly one million heading to Europe.
The IOM report noted that nearly 70 percent of those migrating to Iran cited a lack of job opportunities as the main reason for their departure.
Meanwhile, the Iranian human rights organization Hengaw recently expressed concern over the situation of Afghan migrants in Iran, warning about increasing “governmental and social racism” against them.
In a statement issued on Monday, August 5, Hengaw described the treatment of Afghan migrants and even Iranians of Afghan descent as catastrophic, highlighting the troubling rise of racism towards Afghan migrants.
