A number of Afghan migrants deported from Iran say they were subjected to severe beatings by Iranian police. Many of these migrants claim they were arrested while at work and deported, leaving their wives and children stranded in Iran.
Some migrants have reported that Iranian police used tear gas on their families, causing injuries to women and children. According to reports from Taliban officials, more than 1,000 migrants crossed into Afghanistan on Tuesday through the Islam Qala and Nimroz borders.
While the Taliban have not specified how many of these individuals were forcibly deported or returned voluntarily, many deported migrants recount brutal treatment at the hands of Iranian authorities before being expelled.
“I have a five-year-old son, a two-year-old son, and a six-month-old daughter,” said Ghulam Farooq, one of the deported migrants. “My wife had gone to buy bread when the officers came and took me. My family is still in Iran, and I am stuck here. I spent seven nights in a detention camp.”
Another deportee, Ezzatullah, shared a similar story: “I went to Iran seven years ago. My wife was sick, and I got her treated there. Conditions in the detention camp were terrible—they treat us badly and extort money. These problems exist everywhere in Iran.”
Many deported migrants who are still seeking ways to leave Afghanistan say that in addition to the beatings, Iranian police also used tear gas on their families.
“At 7:00 p.m., they came into our home and arrested us,” said Atiqullah, another deportee. “We were severely beaten and taken to Karaj detention camp, where they used tear gas on the women and children.”
These allegations come amid reports from other Afghan citizens who recently confirmed to Amu that some migrants attempting illegal crossings in the Sistan and Baluchestan province of Iran were shot at by Iranian border guards, resulting in several deaths. Taliban have since announced the formation of a committee to investigate the incident and have promised to make their findings public soon.
