Afghan Refugees in Iran: War, Expulsion, and Collective StigmaHANA Special Report

Life Amid War, Deportation, Stigma, and Accusation
With the ceasefire announced after 40 days of war, the danger for Afghan refugees and migrants in Iran has not ended. During this conflict, Afghans in Iran suffered not only from the attacks and insecurity but also from security pressures, the fear of arrest, and the threat of deportation.
While Iranian cities were being targeted, many Afghans continued to live in a state where inspections, the fear of being accused, and the anxiety of being forcibly returned to Afghanistan were parts of daily life.
Hana declares that for this population, war did not just mean bombardment; it meant living simultaneously under the shadows of conflict and repression. Meanwhile, the issue of the Fatemiyoun has fueled a negative climate against Afghans. For years, the Islamic Republic has used a segment of Afghan migrants for its military objectives, but this reality can never serve as an excuse to ignore the rights of millions of other Afghans. No population should face collective suspicion, discrimination, or exclusion due to the actions of a single group.
From the perspective of International Human Rights Law, war and security situations do not authorize collective expulsion or increased pressure on refugees. Iran remains obligated to uphold the principle of non-refoulement, the prohibition of discrimination, and the right to access legal protection. During this same period, the UNHCR has reported an increase in Afghans returning from Iran and their urgent need for support, registration, counseling, and legal aid.
Hana expresses its serious concern regarding the situation of Afghan refugees and migrants in Iran. Afghans must not become simultaneous victims of war, security policies, and public anger. Their rights are independent of the Islamic Republic’s policies and the actions of groups like the Fatemiyoun.
In these circumstances, public support is vital. All individuals and civil society organizations are urged to sign the petition prepared by Afghan activists to support the rights of Afghan refugees and migrants in Iran:

To sign the petition please click hear