Afghan Exiled Journalists in Iran Warn: “Forced Deportation Means a Death Sentence for Us”

In response to the ongoing forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Iran, members of the Federation of Afghan Journalists in Exile organized an advocacy gathering, calling for an immediate halt to the forced return of journalists, human rights defenders, former security forces, and other at-risk individuals.

Several journalists stressed that nearly three years after the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan remains an unsafe place for media workers, civil activists, human rights advocates, and former government personnel.

Mohammad Raza, a member of the Federation residing in Iran, stated:
“We fled our country to escape Taliban persecution and torture. Being forcibly deported from Iran puts our lives and our families’ lives at grave risk.”

He urged the Iranian government to immediately stop the forced deportation of journalists, human rights defenders, and former soldiers, and to allow them to remain in Iran while their asylum cases are processed by European countries.

Banafsheh Zafari, another journalist, added:
“For the past year, deportations have been carried out forcefully, even targeting those with valid legal residency documents. Since the end of the Iranian elections, the deportation campaign has intensified. Many people are now living in hiding, afraid to leave their homes.”

Human rights activist Sowita Gohari also noted:
“Among those being forcibly returned are individuals who, if identified by the Taliban, would face deadly consequences.”

Omid Pouya, the Iran-based director of the Federation of Afghan Journalists in Exile, explained:
“Those with passports can only renew them up to four times. After that, they face expulsion.”

He added that 85% of those forcibly deported from Iran face serious security risks in Afghanistan.

“Journalists, lawyers, protesting women, civil society activists, human rights defenders, and former security personnel are among those who have been waiting in Iran for the past three years, hoping their asylum cases will be processed by host countries,” Pouya said.

“We urge the Iranian government to give us time to complete the legal procedures. We will leave voluntarily once our asylum cases are resolved,” he concluded.