Taliban’s Dual Policy Towards Deported Refugees; Silence on Iranian Returnees, Support for Pakistani Returnees
Following the increase in forced deportations of Afghan refugees from Iran, sources say that nearly 88,000 people have been returned to the country in the last two days alone;
Mostly from the Hazara and Tajik ethnic groups. This is while the Taliban has not provided any official response, transparent statistics or support program to address the situation of these people.
In contrast, when the process of deporting Afghan refugees from Pakistan began, the Taliban took a different approach: forming an emergency commission, distributing food aid and temporary housing were among the prominent measures.
Analysts see this difference in treatment as an example of the Taliban’s discriminatory policy based on ethnic considerations. The lack of support for returnees from Iran, many of whom have been left without shelter and food in border areas, has increased the risk of a widespread humanitarian crisis.
The Taliban’s silence and disregard for the situation of certain ethnic groups have raised serious questions about the justice and transparency of the ruling structure.
