The Human Rights Organization HANA has warned that the continued deportation of undocumented Afghans from Iran could expose women and children to serious protection risks after their return to Afghanistan.
In a report published on Monday, August 10, HANA said deported children could face family separation, disruption to education, lack of legal identity, exploitation and unsafe living conditions. It also warned that Afghan women and girls could face additional risks because of restrictions on education, employment and movement and the lack of adequate support networks.
HANA said describing Afghans as “undocumented” should not replace an individual assessment of their protection needs. It called for legal safeguards and humanitarian support before returns are carried out.
Iran’s Interior Ministry said Sunday that about 2 million undocumented or unregistered Afghans had been deported since the beginning of Iranian year 1404, which started in March 2025. The ministry said the deportation campaign was continuing.
The scale of the returns has added pressure on Afghanistan’s already strained humanitarian system. UNHCR data showed that 315,800 Afghans had been deported from Iran in 2026 as of July 11, accounting for more than 83% of recorded deportations to Afghanistan from neighbouring countries during that period.
UNHCR has advised countries to suspend forced returns to Afghanistan where individuals face protection risks and has identified women and girls among groups facing heightened vulnerabilities.
The agency has also provided support to eligible Afghans returning from Iran, including protection assessments, healthcare, accommodation and limited financial assistance for people with heightened protection needs.
HANA warned that continued deportations without adequate screening, legal safeguards and humanitarian assistance could further increase the vulnerability of Afghan women, children and other at-risk groups.
The issue comes as Iran seeks to manage a large undocumented Afghan population while Afghanistan faces limited employment opportunities, widespread poverty and continuing humanitarian needs.
