Afghanistan Peace CampaignThe spokesperson for the Iranian government emphasized that Iran is committed to distinguishing between legal and illegal Afghan residents.
A spokesperson for the Iranian government stated that Afghan nationals having a legal status will be allowed to remain in the country.
Refugees residing in Iran reported that following the cancellation of their documents, their access to health and educational services has been reduced.
Rahimullah Safi, an Afghan refugee in Iran, said: “Afghan refugees face many challenges in Iran. Four million undocumented refugees have been given two months to leave the country. Their children have been expelled from schools and are not being admitted.”
Another Afghan refugee, Asadullah Zairi, said: “Undocumented Afghan refugees, if they do not leave Iran, will be deprived of all healthcare, education, and other rights. This will cause many difficulties for the refugees.”
The spokesperson for the Iranian government emphasized that Iran is committed to distinguishing between legal and illegal Afghan residents, and that those with legal status will be allowed to remain.
Fatemeh Mohajerani, the Iranian government spokesperson, said: “The government differentiates between legal and illegal residents. The decision is that those with valid legal documents will be allowed to stay in accordance with the law, while those without legal documents may leave.”
Mohammad Jamal Muslim, a refugee rights activist, added: “They cannot access hospitals or schools. They are even unable to benefit from rights given to refugees in parks and recreational areas.”
Previously, Iran’s Ministry of Interior had set September 15 as the deadline for Afghan refugees.
The head of the Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs at Iran’s Ministry of Interior stated that the number of undocumented Afghans in the country has surpassed four million.