INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
At least 3,000 Afghan refugees return to Afghanistan from Iran every day, many of whom are forcibly returned, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
(IEA) officials have reported.Investigations by the Ministry of Refugees found that 7,500 people entered Afghanistan from the Iranian border
in the past two days.According to the ministry, of these people, 5,500 were forcibly returned to Afghanistan by the Iranian
government.People who went to Iran due to political developments or poverty and hunger, now have bitter narratives of forced deportation
from Iran.When you leave Afghanistan, extortion and looting begin
They [Iranians] are very annoyed,& said one of the forced returnees.On the way back home, if you get caught by them, they will take money
from you, in short, they will do whatever they want,& said another forced returnee.Questions have been raised however as to why Iranian
forces have become heavy handed in their treatment of Afghan refugees lately.Issues such as the influx of immigrants into Iran, the lack of
capacity to accept new immigrants, and diplomatic issues have led to an increase in forced returns,& said Asifa Stanikzai, an immigration
rights activist in Iran.Kabul, however, wants good relations with Tehran and wants them, to host Afghan refugees for the time being.The
Deputy Spokesman of the IEA said that if Afghans return from Iran, with the cooperation of the Ministry of Refugees, facilities will be
provided for them on their return.The Islamic Emirate wants Iran to be a good host, as in previous years, until a normal situation returns
in Afghanistan,& said Bilal Karimi, the IEA&s deputy spokesman.After the recent developments and the fall of the previous government, the
rate of illegal immigration to Iran has increased significantly.The post Iran steps up deportation of Afghan refugees first appeared on
