Many Afghan deportees from Iran are voicing their grievances over the Iranian authorities’ failure to refund their prepaid funds, such as rental deposits.
Having lived and worked in Iran for years, these deportees, forcibly returned to Afghanistan, have not only lost their financial assets but also face significant challenges reintegrating into their homeland.
They are urging the Islamic Emirate to take diplomatic action to address this issue and secure their rights.Khan Mohammad, one of the deportees, shared his frustration: “I repeatedly called my landlord, but he never answered.
His house was far from where I lived, and despite my efforts, I got no response. I was forced to return to Afghanistan without a single toman.” Khan Mohammad’s story is not unique.
Zabihullah, deported after 25 years in Iran along with his family, recounted his struggle to recover his final wages. “I contacted my employer multiple times, but no one picked up. When we went to his house, his family claimed he wasn’t there. We couldn’t even file a complaint—if we did, we risked being arrested and deported,” he said.Ghulam Mohiuddin, another deportee, lost a 70-million-toman rental deposit. “A month before leaving, I informed my landlord to return my money, but he kept delaying.
One night, we were evicted and deported to Afghanistan,” he said.The Ministry of Migrants and Returnees has emphasized the need to ensure deportees’ rights are upheld, stating that diplomatic efforts are underway with host countries, including Iran.
Abdul Rahman Rashed, the deputy minister, said: “We have engaged diplomatically with countries where our migrants resided to ensure their rights are honored.
Any outstanding financial claims will be addressed through embassies and consulates.” Previously, Iran’s Director General of Foreign Nationals and Immigrants Affairs also assured that deportees could pursue their financial claims via diplomatic channels.
The lack of a clear mechanism for recovering these funds has left thousands of deportees in distress, returning to Afghanistan without savings and facing an uncertain future. This situation underscores the urgent need for both governments to address these grievances effectively.
