A group of Afghan migrants and activists has called on the Iranian government to stop the deportation of Afghan refugees, citing the deteriorating political and security situation in Afghanistan since the Taliban regained power.
In an open letter addressed to Masoud Pezeshkian, a senior Iranian official, the group appealed for clemency under the title “Kindness Letter.”
The letter, a joint effort by Afghan migrants, civil rights advocates, and human rights and women’s rights activists, highlighted the grave risks facing many Afghans, particularly those who worked for the former government, military, media, and international organizations. “Many individuals, especially military personnel and journalists, are under serious threat of being tracked, tortured, or even executed,” the letter stated.
The activists also urged Iranian authorities not to generalize the actions of a few individuals as representative of the entire Afghan migrant community. “Crime is a personal matter and should not be attributed to an entire migrant community or a specific group,” they wrote.
The letter pointed to the Taliban’s efforts to identify and punish individuals who were involved with foreign institutions or participated in cultural and social activities under the previous Afghan government. The activists referenced the 1951 Geneva Convention, reminding Iran of its obligation not to return refugees or migrants to a country where they face the risk of persecution.
Since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, thousands of Afghan human rights advocates, journalists, and civil society activists have fled the country, fearing for their lives. Many of them are now facing uncertain futures, with their asylum cases slowly being processed by Western nations. For many, deportation to Afghanistan could mean a return to life-threatening conditions.
