Iran has started forcibly deportation of Afghan refugees into western Herat province after the coronavirus outbreak in the neighboring country, local officials said on Sunday, demanding solution to the issue.
“Iran is sending 700 to 1000 Afghan refugees to Herat province on a daily basis via Islam Qala land port,” said the provincial Refugee and Repatriation director, Javed Naadim.
He told Pajhwok Afghan News the deportees included children, homeless women, elderly people and drug addicts. “These people were either expelled or returned voluntarily,” he said.
Deputy head of the provincial council, Tooryali Taheri, expressed his deep concern over the forced return of Afghan refugees and the spread of coronavirus, saying Iran deported 1,200 refugees in a single night via Islam Qala.
He urged the government to reach an understanding with Iran on closing the Islam Qala border crossing until the coronavirus was eliminated.
However, the governor’s spokesman, Farhad Jilani, said an understanding had been reached with Iran on reducing the number of deportees. He said latest facilities were made available at Islam Qala port to contain the spread of the deadly virus.
