Welcome to The Azadi Briefing, RFE/RL’s newsletter that unpacks key issues in Afghanistan. to subscribe click here.
I am Abubakar Siddique, Chief Correspondent at Radio Azadi RFE/RL. Here’s what I’ve been watching and what I’m keeping an eye on in the coming days.
A key issue
Afghan refugees and migrants complain of increasing harassment and abuse in neighboring Iran.
This week, banners He appeared to have been hanged in the neighborhood of Tehran, Iran’s capital, demanding that the Afghans leave. It was not clear whether the locals or the authorities were behind the move.
It came via Iranian media reported on July 18 that a local man was allegedly stabbed to death by his Afghan neighbors.
Last week, the homes of several Afghan migrants were reportedly located in the southern city of Khur light in apparent retaliation for the killing of an Iranian man, allegedly by an Afghan.
Why it’s important: Anti-Afghan sentiment has been growing in Iran in recent years, especially following the mass influx of refugees and migrants following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.
Tehran has long blamed Afghans for insecurity and unemployment in Iran and has expelled many members of the community.
According to the UN, there are currently an estimated 4.3 million Afghans living in Iran. More than 1 million have been deported in the past year.
Human rights groups have also documented a sharp rise in the number of Afghans executed in Iran this year.
What will be next: As anti-Afghan sentiment grows in Iran, members of the community are likely to become targets of greater discrimination and abuse.
It is unclear whether the mistreatment of Afghans in Iran will deter others from moving to the Islamic Republic.
Hundreds of Afghans are believed to be illegally entering Iran every week to escape Taliban rule and Afghanistan’s devastating humanitarian and economic crisis..
What to watch out for
An increasing number of Afghans affected by natural disasters are leaving for neighboring countries.
Afghanistan has been the scene of major droughts, floods and other extreme climatic events in recent years.
“I was forced to move to Iran after the earthquake,” Hassanzada, a resident of the western Afghan city of Herat, told RFE/RL. Radio Azadi.
A series of tremors last year killed at least 1,000 people and affected more than 100,000 in and around Herat.
But survivors said a lack of aid and financial assistance forced them to leave the country.
Why it’s important: Afghanistan remains one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of global warming and climate change.
In the latest natural disaster to hit Afghanistan, flash floods in eastern Nangarhar province last week killed at least 71 peopleaccording to the UN.
The Taliban’s seizure of power led international donors to immediately cut international development funding. While some foreign aid organizations continue to operate in Afghanistan, many have been forced to scale back their work as international funding dwindles.
That’s all from me for now.
Don’t forget to send me any questions, comments or tips you have. You can always reach us at [email protected]
Until next time,
Abubakar Siddique
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