Xenophobia and bureaucracy: Daily challenges of Afghan refugees in Iran
Afghan refugees in Iran face numerous challenges that affect nearly every aspect of their lives. They vary depending on individual circumstances, such as the degree of integration, levels of human and cultural capital, length of stay, type of identity documents, and social class. For example, the issues faced by a labourer without legal documentation are vastly different from those encountered by a cleric, a merchant, or a student.
From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, around two million Afghans fled to Iran due to war, poverty, and unemployment. Another wave of Afghan refugees arrived in the late 1990s, following the rise of the Taliban. However, after the Taliban was overthrown by the U.S.-led invasion in late 2001 and the Islamic Republic government was established in Kabul, many refugees returned home to Afghanistan.
Unfortunately, the refugee outflow to Iran increased during the second decade of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s rule, thanks to a resurgence of war and insecurity. The collapse of the Afghan government in August 2021 marked the start of a massive wave of citizens leaving the country. Millions have fled in the last three years, with a majority going to Iran and Pakistan, while smaller numbers have made it to the West.
Iran is also home to refugees from Iraq and Syria but it is Afghan refugees who face unique challenges, largely due to Iran’s inconsistent refugee policies. In particular, the Iranian government lacks a clear vision for managing Afghan refugees, with policies aimed at regulating the Afghan refugee population being hindered by fundamental issues:
- The policies are highly fluid and temporary – a policy announced today could be revoked tomorrow.
- There is a lack of coordination and standards regarding refugees among relevant government departments. For instance, a refugee seeking full access to services may need codes from 21 different departments. Even with the introduction of a universal code, many government services still don’t recognize that universal code.
- Refugee policies fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Interior, reflecting the government’s security-driven approach to refugees.
- Iran lacks policies for the integration of refugees into Iranian society, and even after multiple generations of families have lived in the country for 40 years, they are still seen as temporary guests. At the same time, the last few decades have shown that many refugees may never leave Iran. International laws and global norms dictate that refugees should be categorized and those capable of social and cultural integration should be granted permanent residency, as well as full civil and political rights.
- Laws governing citizenship, labour, property ownership, and travel in Iran are all unfavourable to refugees.
- Refugees are used by Iranian leaders as political tools. The government has repeatedly leveraged its Afghan refugee population to apply pressure on Kabul. In addition, the potential opening of Iran’s borders to allow Afghan refugees to continue moving toward Europe has been used as a bargaining chip in diplomatic negotiations with Europe.
Beyond government policies, Afghan refugees also face societal xenophobia. Afghans report bitter experiences of discriminatory treatment throughout Iran. They are often treated with contempt in government offices, workplaces, and markets. Although anti-refugees sentiment exists in many host countries, the disdain exhibited by Iranians toward Afghans is particularly overt and offensive.
Iranian media often lack a professional and responsible approach in how they cover refugees issues, especially when one false report can worsen life for millions of Afghan refugees across the country. Insulting terms frequently appear in the media – such as “parasitic population,” “stubborn and persistent population,” “hungry population,” “criminals,” and “uninvited guests.” They can defame and insult refugees without any worry of legal trouble.
Internal conflicts within Iran sometimes exacerbate the mistreatment of Afghan refugees. Dr. Nasr Esfahani wrote a book on this subject titled In a Brother’s Home, which provides a detailed analysis of Afghan refugees caught in Iranian political games.
The result of all these governmental and societal challenges is that Afghan refugees in Iran face numerous difficulties when it comes to housing, travel, education, property ownership, and healthcare. Afghans are refused rental housing in many parts of Iran with rental listings on one popular online marketplace called Divar often ending with the note: “Not for Afghans. Afghans should not contact.” Real estate agents are instructed not to rent to undocumented migrants or rent to any refugees in specific areas. And for those refugees able to find accommodation, there is the knowledge that they will likely face difficulties in retrieving the security deposits for their rental homes if they have to move.
Even documented refugees, such as those with refugee cards (amayesh) or family passports, cannot travel without police permission; those holding green cards are restricted from leaving their designated areas. In recent months, police harassment has become increasingly common, making movement even within cities fraught with anxiety.
According to Iranian law, refugees are prohibited from purchasing property. Vehicle ownership is also limited to a small cohort of refugees. Similarly, there are significant barriers to purchasing SIM cards, insurance, and other essential services of life.
It is estimated that between one and one and a half million undocumented Afghans live in Iran. This large population is completely denied access to education. Now, even legally documented refugees face significant obstacles to enrolling their children in the educational system. Many schools refuse to admit Afghan students or consider them only if they have open slots with no Iranian applicants. Even after navigating those obstacles, parents must still navigate bureaucratic red tape and numerous challenges to finally enrolling their children.
Most refugees lack health insurance and medical expenses in Iran are prohibitively high. Additionally, specific medications, even infant formula, can only be purchased with a national ID or a doctor’s prescription.
The Iranian workplace is equally problematic. Exploitation by employers and withholding of wages are significant issues for Afghan labourers. Without valid documentation, many workers lack bank accounts and are forced to store their money with their employers or acquaintances. Unfortunately, some of these “trustees” refuse to return the money, using threats and coercion to thwart any complaints.
In public spaces or locations offering public services like bakeries, metros, buses, or parks, Afghan refugees are often subjected to insulting and demeaning treatment.
Accessing the justice system and filing complaints in Iran is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for refugees. Complaints must be registered in the “Sana” online system, which requires a special code. This code is only given to those with valid legal documents, meaning many refugees lack the right or opportunity to file complaints. Since in-person complaints are not accepted by Iranian officials, documented refugees must endure several days of delays just to file a complaint. The subsequent stages of processing complaints are often so time-consuming and burdensome that, for many refugees, the risks and costs of pursuing a case far outweigh the potential benefits.
Afghans hope that the United Nations and international organizations advocating on behalf of refugees will engage with the Iranian government to reduce these challenges. Refugees also hope that the media will help communicate their plight to the world and apply pressure on Iranian policy makers to prevent the further deterioration of living and working conditions for Afghans in Iran.
Nonetheless, we all know that the root of the refugee problem lies within Afghanistan itself, and, until we can establish a prosperous and dignified life in our homeland, the suffering of refugees will continue to haunt us.
*Elham Hinayish is the pen name of an Afghan refugee woman in Iran.
