Iran is forcibly sending more families back to Afghanistan
In recent months, a significant concern has arisen due to the increased deportation of Afghan families, particularly women, from Iran to Afghanistan. This trend is part of a broader surge in returns from Iran, fuelled by recent policies and geopolitical tensions.
## Humanitarian Crisis intensifies
The massive influx of returnees has put a strain on Afghanistan's already fragile infrastructure, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Many of these individuals are in dire need of food, shelter, and income support. The deportation process can be traumatic, especially for women and children who often face separation from family members or are forced to leave behind their livelihoods, leading to significant psychological and social stress.
## Economic Burden
The returnees often arrive with minimal possessions, having sold their belongings to cover travel costs. This places an additional economic burden on families and communities in Afghanistan.
## Reasons for Deportations
The escalation of hostilities in the region, Iran's new immigration policies, and the announcement of a ceasefire have all contributed to the surge in deportations. On March 20, 2025, Iran introduced new criteria for legal residency, leading to a significant increase in deportations. Many Afghans now find themselves without the means to remain in the country legally.
## Concerns and Challenges
The forcible return of nearly 39% of children raises concerns about their safety and well-being upon arrival in Afghanistan. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other humanitarian agencies face a dire funding shortfall, which hampers their ability to provide adequate support to the returnees.
The presence of unaccompanied children, such as the approximately 6,700 who crossed in June, poses a significant challenge in terms of providing necessary care and protection.
## Women's Rights and Taliban Regime
Returning to Afghanistan is particularly dangerous for women, given the Taliban's repressive laws. Women in Afghanistan are excluded from most jobs and educational institutions under Taliban rule. Taliban laws in Afghanistan prohibit women from showing their faces, speaking, or appearing in public. This puts women returning from Iran in direct conflict with Taliban laws, further jeopardizing their safety and rights.
The situation highlights the need for urgent humanitarian assistance and sustainable solutions to address the root causes of these deportations and to protect the rights and well-being of the returnees, particularly women and children.
The community and employment policies in Afghanistan must address the influx of returnees, particularly the alarming employment prospects for women and children who face immense psychological and social stress due to the traumatic deportation process. Science, health-and-wellness, and women's health organizations should focus on providing mental health support to these returning individuals, especially children who are at risk due to the unfavorable Taliban regime.
The surge in deportations from Iran is not only a general-news issue but also a matter of war-and-conflicts and politics, as the escalation of hostilities in the region and Iran's new immigration policies play significant roles in the deportations. Moreover, the economic burden on families and communities in Afghanistan is escalating, as the returnees arrive with minimal possessions, leading to problems in providing basic necessities like food, shelter, and income support.
The crime-and-justice sector should prioritize addressing the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children, such as the approximately 6,700 who crossed in June, to ensure their rights and protection in the face of the challenging circumstances. Furthermore, establishing and implementing policies to support women's rights and empowerment in Afghanistan, given the Taliban's repressive laws, is crucial to ensuring their safety and providing them with opportunities in education and employment. This would help mitigate the conflicts between Taliban laws and the rights of women returning from Iran.
The international community should take action to address the humanitarian crisis intensifying in Afghanistan by providing urgent assistance and long-term solutions to support the returnees, particularly women and children. This includes providing adequate funding for humanitarian agencies like the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to address the challenges posed by the surge in returns from Iran.
