The human rights organization Haal-o-Wesh reported that Iranian border forces opened fire without any prior warning on a group of Afghan migrants attempting to enter Iran on Saturday, 2 Jawza (corresponding to June 3), in the Bach-e-Rahi region of Sistan and Baluchestan province.
Kabul 24: The shooting resulted in the deaths of at least three Afghan citizens and injured four others.According to the report by Haal-o-Wesh, the Afghan migrants were targeted directly by border guards in the Bach-e-Rahi border area.
The organization, citing local sources and eyewitnesses, stressed that the Iranian forces gave no verbal warnings, shots in the air, or any other form of alert before using lethal force.
This incident has been described as a disproportionate and excessive use of deadly force against unarmed civilians.This marks the third reported case of direct shooting by Iranian security forces against Afghan migrants in recent months.
Due to its geographical location, Sistan and Baluchestan province serves as one of the primary routes for Afghan migrants entering Iran. Many Afghans flee their country because of severe economic hardship, political instability, and social insecurity following the Taliban’s return to power.
They seek work or temporary refuge in neighboring Iran.Human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized the treatment of Afghan migrants by Iranian border guards.
Numerous reports have documented incidents of shooting, physical abuse, forced deportations, and deaths at the border. Haal-o-Wesh emphasized in its statement that such actions violate basic human rights principles and Iran’s international obligations toward migrants and refugees.
As of now, Iranian official authorities have not issued any response to this report. The Afghan Foreign Ministry has also remained silent. However, unofficial Afghan sources indicate rising tensions along the eastern borders.
The incident occurs while Iran hosts millions of Afghan migrants. Estimates suggest that more than 3.5 million Afghan citizens currently live in Iran, many of them without legal residency documents.
Iran’s difficult economic situation and the pressure of international sanctions have led to stricter immigration policies, resulting in increased border confrontations.
Haal-o-Wesh has called for an independent and transparent investigation into the shooting and demanded that those responsible be held accountable.
The exact identities of the victims have not yet been released. Reports indicate that the injured individuals were transferred to medical facilities for treatment.
Families of the victims in border regions of Afghanistan are actively seeking information about their loved ones.
Incidents of this nature not only endanger human lives but also cast a shadow over bilateral relations between Iran and Afghanistan.
Experts believe that establishing joint border management mechanisms and adhering to human rights standards in migration control have become more urgent than ever.
