NCRI

Iranian Regime’s Brutal Crackdown on Afghan Migrants: A Grim Reality of Systemic Oppression

Farid Mahoutchi

Iran’s border has once again become a site of tragedy and outrage as reports emerge of a gruesome massacre of Afghan migrants by Iranian border forces. This latest incident, which took place at the Kalgan border crossing near Saravan, has left over 260 Afghan youths dead, sparking widespread condemnation and anger in Afghanistan. The victims, who had crossed into Iran in search of work, were met with brutal violence, as Iranian border guards used heavy weaponry, including RPGs, to attack the group. This massacre has become yet another dark chapter in the clerical regime’s notorious history of cruelty towards vulnerable communities. 

A Tragic Scene Met with Silence and Fear

According to local sources in Baluchistan, some of the wounded migrants were taken to Razi Hospital in Saravan. Despite their critical conditions, reports indicate that Iranian security forces have been actively suppressing information about the incident. Hospital staff and the injured have allegedly been threatened and instructed to remain silent about the true nature of the migrants’ injuries. “No one must know that these are victims of the border shooting,” authorities have reportedly demanded. The bodies of at least 13 victims were transferred to the hospital’s morgue, which has since reached full capacity, with many more casualties unaccounted for. 

The chilling brutality witnessed at the Kalgan border is not an isolated incident but part of a wider pattern of systemic discrimination and violence by the Iranian regime. For years, Afghan migrants have been scapegoated, exploited, and subjected to inhumane treatment, all while Iran’s leaders paint a facade of hospitality on the international stage. 

Afghanistan’s Anger and Calls for Justice

The massacre has ignited a wave of anger across Afghanistan. Families of the victims, along with activists and members of the public, have taken to social media, calling out the Iranian government and demanding accountability. “These young men left to find a better life, but instead, they found death at the hands of the Iranian regime,” one Afghan commentator lamented. Protests and gatherings have erupted across the country, as people express solidarity with the victims and denounce the brutality of the Iranian authorities. 

The outrage over this massacre has extended beyond Afghanistan, tarnishing Iran’s image globally. Hashtags calling for justice have trended across social media platforms, with many highlighting the hypocrisy of a regime that openly supports proxy militias across the region, yet brutalizes defenseless migrants. Activists have pointed out how the Iranian government offers sanctuary to members of groups like the “Fatimiyoun Brigade,” while showing no compassion for Sunni Afghan migrants who seek nothing more than a chance to earn a livelihood. 

A Regime of Oppression and Hypocrisy

The Iranian regime’s oppression of Afghan migrants is part of a long-standing pattern of racial discrimination. Authorities have consistently demonized Afghan migrants, often using them as convenient scapegoats for Iran’s social and economic problems. Earlier this month, Abolfazl Fateh, head of the Tuberculosis and Pulmonary Research Institute under the Iranian regime, irresponsibly linked Afghan migrants to the spread of diseases, further fueling prejudice against an already marginalized community. Such claims, which lack scientific basis, have been condemned by health experts as “misleading and dangerous.” 

In recent months, officials have increased their anti-migrant rhetoric, with Ahmadreza Radan, head of Iran’s law enforcement, reiterating the regime’s plan to deport over two million undocumented Afghan migrants. Statements from Tehran’s governor also suggest harsh measures against those deemed “illegal,” including barring them from accessing basic services. This has led to a surge in deportations, often conducted under harsh and humiliating conditions. 

Despite the Iranian regime’s efforts to cast Afghan migrants as a threat, the truth is that these individuals have been instrumental to Iran’s economy, taking on some of the most demanding and underpaid jobs. Yet, instead of acknowledging their contributions, the regime has resorted to inhumane practices, denying them basic rights and dignity. 

Reports of Abuse: A Grim Reality for Afghan Migrants

The Kalgan border massacre is only the latest manifestation of the cruelty faced by Afghan migrants. Countless stories have emerged of harassment, physical abuse, and illegal deportations. Many of those expelled report being detained in overcrowded camps, where they are denied food, water, and medical care. Testimonies from Islam Qala, where Afghan deportees are registered, paint a harrowing picture of maltreatment. Fazila Qadari, one of the deportees, tearfully recounted her experience of being beaten and humiliated in a camp near Karaj, despite having legal documents. 

“I saw a man die in that camp,” Fazila said. “They told us to go back to our country as if we were less than human.” Her story is echoed by many others who have faced violence, had their documents torn, and were thrown into buses bound for Afghanistan without even the chance to collect their belongings. 

The Iranian regime’s narrative of orderly and “respectful” repatriation is shattered by these grim realities. The actions of security forces—detaining and abusing migrants, including those with legal permits—stand in stark contrast to the regime’s public statements. Despite calls from international bodies urging Tehran to treat Afghan refugees humanely, the situation continues to deteriorate. 

A Call to the International Community: Demand Accountability

The massacre at the Kalgan border must serve as a wake-up call for the international community. The Iranian regime’s relentless persecution of Afghan migrants is not just a national issue but a gross violation of human rights that demands global condemnation. As Amir Khan Muttaqi, Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister, urged, it is time for international bodies to hold Tehran accountable for its actions and ensure that such atrocities do not go unanswered. 

The world can no longer turn a blind eye to Tehran’s systematic abuse of Afghan migrants, a community that has sought refuge after years of turmoil in their homeland. Instead of providing safety, the Iranian regime has inflicted pain, suffering, and now, death. The clerical dictatorship’s disdain for human rights, its hypocrisy in favoring certain groups over others, and its oppressive policies paint a bleak picture of a state that prioritizes its interests over human beings. 

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