What's happened
Large-scale deportations of Afghans from Iran and Pakistan continue, with over 1.9 million returned in 2025. Reports from the UN highlight serious human rights abuses against returnees, especially women, girls, and those linked to the former government. Taliban authorities deny mistreatment amid ongoing expulsions. The situation remains critical.
What's behind the headline?
The deportation of millions of Afghans by Iran and Pakistan underscores the fragile state of regional stability and the limits of diplomatic engagement. The UN's documentation of serious human rights violations reveals a stark contrast between official Taliban claims of a welcoming environment and the reality faced by returnees. The targeting of women, girls, and former officials suggests a pattern of persecution based on identity and political history, which will likely intensify as the Taliban consolidate power. The ongoing expulsions threaten to overwhelm Afghanistan’s already strained support systems, risking further destabilization. This situation will likely escalate humanitarian crises and complicate international efforts to address Afghan displacement. The international community must scrutinize the Taliban’s denial and push for accountability, while supporting vulnerable populations at risk.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that Iran and Pakistan are expelling millions of Afghans, with over 1.8 million forcibly returned from Iran alone in the past three months. The UN mission highlights serious violations, including torture and detention, especially affecting women and civil society members. AP News emphasizes the risks faced by returnees, citing specific cases of torture and threats, and warns against forced deportations. The UN’s detailed report confirms that violations are often based on personal profiles, including gender and political links, with Taliban authorities denying mistreatment and claiming to provide support. The New Arab echoes these concerns, emphasizing the targeting of women, media workers, and former government affiliates, with over 1.9 million Afghans returned in 2025. The contrasting narratives from Taliban officials and UN reports illustrate the ongoing tension between official denials and documented abuses, highlighting the urgent need for international oversight and humanitarian intervention.
How we got here
Iran and Pakistan have launched large-scale deportation campaigns targeting Afghans living illegally in their countries, citing national security concerns. Despite Afghan government promises of amnesty post-2021 Taliban takeover, many returnees face risks of persecution, detention, and abuse. The UN reports that violations include torture, ill-treatment, and arbitrary arrest, especially affecting women, civil society members, and former government affiliates. The Taliban deny these allegations, asserting they provide support to returnees, but reports indicate a severe humanitarian crisis and ongoing risks for those returning.
Go deeper
Common question
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Why Are Afghans Being Expelled from Pakistan and Iran?
Millions of Afghans are facing forced deportations from Iran and Pakistan, with serious concerns over human rights violations. This page explores why these expulsions are happening, what risks returnees face, and what the future holds for Afghan refugees in the region. If you're wondering about the causes, the impact on individuals, and the international response, keep reading to get clear answers.
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What Are the Conditions for Afghan Returnees Facing Deportation?
With over 1.9 million Afghans returned in 2025 due to large-scale deportations from Iran and Pakistan, many are asking: what are the conditions like for these returnees? Reports highlight serious human rights violations, including torture and detention, especially targeting women, civil society members, and former government officials. Despite Taliban denials, the situation remains critical. Below, we explore the current state of affairs, why these deportations are happening, and what international organizations are doing to respond.
More on these topics
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The Taliban or Taleban, who refer to themselves as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, are a Sunni Islamic fundamentalist political movement and military organization in Afghanistan currently waging war within that country.
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Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central and South Asia.
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.