Turkiye deports 325 Afghan migrants amid growing crackdown

Turkiye has recently deported 325 Afghan migrants, both documented and undocumented, in the past two days, as part of a broader crackdown on Afghan refugees.

The deportees, primarily from Istanbul, were returned to Afghanistan on November 10, where they were welcomed by officials from the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations.

Upon arrival, the returnees were given €150 (or its equivalent in Afghan currency) by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as financial assistance.

The deportation follows an intensifying pattern of forced expulsions of Afghan migrants from neighbouring countries, including Iran and Pakistan.

Turkiye’s deportations come amid heightened regional tensions and security concerns, with many Afghan migrants feeling forced to return due to deteriorating conditions and a lack of economic opportunities.

In a statement, Abdur Rahman Rashid, the Deputy Minister for Refugees and Repatriation, noted that the ministry was in contact with Turkish authorities to resolve ongoing issues related to Afghan migration.

He assured the deported individuals that they would receive legal support, including guidance on obtaining civil documentation, once back in Afghanistan.

The deportation coincides with a broader regional trend of forced repatriations. In the last month alone, Pakistan and Iran have reportedly sent back hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees.

In total, an estimated 400,000 Afghan nationals have been expelled from these neighboring countries, with Iran deporting up to 3,000 Afghans daily.

The situation is expected to worsen as winter sets in, putting additional strain on Afghanistan’s already fragile infrastructure.

Since the Taliban’s return to power, the exodus of Afghan citizens has increased significantly, with Turkiye serving as a key transit point for those attempting to reach Europe.

Turkiye is currently home to one of the world’s largest refugee populations, including over 3.6 million Syrians, as well as significant numbers of Afghans and other nationalities.

The country’s handling of Afghan refugees has drawn international criticism, particularly from human rights groups who argue that Turkiye often forces undocumented migrants into “voluntary” repatriation, despite their desire to seek asylum.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has highlighted these concerns, noting that many Afghan refugees in Turkiye face coercion, with authorities pushing them to sign documents agreeing to return home.

The organisation has also documented instances where refugees, particularly women and children, are subjected to mistreatment during deportation.

For the Afghan government, managing the return of these migrants is an ongoing challenge.

Many returnees are arriving in Afghanistan with few resources, exacerbating the country’s already dire humanitarian crisis.

Experts have warned that the influx of refugees, combined with the approaching winter, could lead to further instability.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation has pledged to address the needs of returnees, including providing shelters and support for reintegration.

However, the sheer number of returning migrants, compounded by the country’s ongoing economic struggles, is expected to put immense pressure on the government’s ability to provide adequate assistance.