Saeed Aganji

Peace Line/ Saeed Aganji

Among all defenders of the full rights of refugees who demand their access to all citizenship rights and equal conditions with other citizens, there is also a group that claims society cannot fully accept refugees. They point to the problems, abnormalities, and insecurities that are transferred to society through refugees. The peace line is drawn within the framework of theoretical and educational processing and practical and ethical approach to the issue of human rights regarding the problems that Iran faces with illegal migrants and Afghan refugees. Daniel Menjazi, a researcher in culture and communication in Finland, has discussed this issue. You can read this conversation below.

Based on published statistics, 36% of intentional homicides in Iran are committed by Afghan nationals and currently, 88% of foreign nationals in Iranian prisons are from Afghanistan. How is this viewed in terms of immigration and its social consequences?
According to statistics from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Iran is home to approximately 88,200 refugees, making it one of the largest refugee populations in the world. Of these, 84,000 are from Afghanistan. Additionally, there are also a significant number of undocumented migrants in Iran.

Crime is directly linked to employment and income levels, and is exacerbated by ethnic and cultural tensions, which are among the primary concerns and challenges faced by migrants and the host society. In particular, in recent decades, thousands of people have fled to Iran in hopes of a better life due to the intensity of war and unrest in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, unemployment, high inflation, and systematic discrimination in Iran have not only failed to improve conditions, but have also separated many Afghan families.

Not only in Iran, but in any country, economic downturns can lead to crises for vulnerable migrant populations. This can result in an increase in crime and theft.

What do you think are the economic and cultural reasons for committing crimes among the Afghan immigrant community in Iran?
With the mention of the fact that, according to discriminatory laws in the employment of Afghans, for example, the recent classification of occupations by the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare or the unauthorized declaration of residence for Afghans in some cities and provinces, does not leave much difference in terms of vulnerability between legal and illegal citizens.
The financial reasons for committing crimes can vary from efforts to make a living to efforts to obtain money and leave Iran for Afghanistan or a third country. In recent years, a large number of people have voluntarily or forcibly returned to Afghanistan, and among them, according to various reports from international organizations, some heads of families and even their young children have been deported to Afghanistan.
The need to pay for the return to camps in case of arrest, pay for the release of a family member, whether a criminal or an illegal citizen, to join the family in Afghanistan or a third country, smuggling the family to Iran, medical expenses, medication, and education
Daniel Manjazi, researcher in culture and communications in Finland.

Do you know what kind of assistance international organizations have provided in this regard so far?

In terms of economic assistance, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, due to inflation, increased cost of living, and an increase in vulnerable individuals, the organization’s allocation in Iran has continuously increased over the years. In the current year, it has reached 69 million US dollars, which is an increase of approximately 325 million dollars compared to four years ago, in 2010.

For example, France and Australia have also provided assistance to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for Afghan refugees in Iran. This is especially important because Australia has been the main destination for Afghan refugees after becoming disillusioned with staying in Iran or through resettlement programs.

In terms of finding solutions to the problems of Afghan refugees in Iran, since 2013, meetings have been held under the title of “Strategic Solutions Program for Afghan Refugees” with the help of the Pakistani government, which continued in 2014 and was supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

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