The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has issued a strong call for an investigation into the alleged massacre of Afghan migrants along the Afghanistan-Iran border. Reports surfaced through Afghan media, including Tolo News, claiming that over 200 Afghan migrants who had entered Iran illegally were attacked within Iranian territory, leading to numerous deaths and injuries.
Witnesses and an Iranian human rights organization pointed fingers at Iranian border guards as the perpetrators. However, Iran’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, swiftly dismissed these accusations on X, formerly known as Twitter, denying any “death of dozens of illegal nationals.”
While Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government has yet to confirm the incident, it has launched a formal investigation. The government’s deputy spokesman, Hamdullah Fitrat, explained that the incident occurred “beyond Afghanistan’s borders,” making verification challenging. He stated that a high-level delegation, comprised of officials from the foreign, interior, and defense ministries, is actively investigating the incident and will release verified details upon completion.
UNAMA expressed deep concern over the disturbing reports, issuing a statement that called for a “thorough and transparent” investigation into the alleged attack. The statement highlighted the importance of upholding international laws that protect migrants and refugees.
This incident comes at a time when millions of Afghans have fled their homeland following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Both Iran and Pakistan have become havens for significant Afghan migrant populations, but both countries have recently tightened restrictions on refugees within their territories.
The urgency of the situation underscores the need for international scrutiny and accountability. The UN’s call for a transparent investigation is crucial to ensure justice for the victims and to address the broader concerns surrounding the treatment of Afghan refugees in neighboring countries.
