The Coordination Council of the Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, a coalition of the diplomats of former government, in a statement called for a “thorough and comprehensive” investigation migrant deaths at Iran border.
The council urged Iranian authorities to hold those responsible for the violence accountable and called for justice for the victims.
The council also appealed to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the Human Rights Council, and other international organizations supporting refugee rights to “seriously” follow up on the incident and ensure that Afghan migrants are protected.
According to the statement, Afghan citizens are increasingly fleeing their country due to the deteriorating situation under Taliban rule, seeking refuge in neighboring countries like Iran. “Afghan migrants, fleeing threats and dire conditions, cross dangerous routes to seek safety and survival. Any violence against them contradicts religious values, good neighborly relations, and violates international norms and refugee rights conventions,” the council said.
A survivor of the incident told Amu that a group of Afghan migrants came under fire after crossing into Iran’s Sistan and Baluchistan province, near the Kalagan and Saravan areas. Local sources report that human trafficking networks have been smuggling undocumented Afghan migrants through these dangerous routes, with the Saravan-Kalagan crossing recently coming under scrutiny after this tragic incident.
One migrant recounted that a week earlier, around 450 Afghans embarked on this perilous journey, guided by smugglers. The group, desperate to escape the situation in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, took the risky route from Nimroz to Kalagan, which is notorious for its dangers.
The Taliban, in response to the incident, announced that they would take action once the full details emerged. Hamidullah Fetrat, the deputy spokesman for the Taliban, stated in a video that a delegation led by Sadr Ibrahim, the Taliban’s deputy interior minister, had been formed to investigate the matter.
The Afghan diplomatic council emphasized that Afghan migrants deserve full protection under international standards and urged all relevant parties to uphold their rights and safety.
