RASC News Agency: Following the recent deadly incident in which Iranian forces fired upon Afghanistani migrants, numerous Afghanistani politicians and citizens have condemned the Taliban, holding the regime accountable for the mass exodus of the country’s youth. They argue that the Taliban’s reign of terror, marked by relentless oppression and widespread poverty, is the driving force behind this migration crisis. According to the “Halvash” Human Rights Organization, 260 Afghanistani citizens were killed in this shooting, highlighting the perilous situation faced by refugees seeking safety.
Kamal Nasser Osuli, a prominent Pashtun politician, responded to the tragedy, asserting that the Taliban’s oppressive rule and the severe economic challenges have left Afghanistani citizens with no choice but to “flee” their homeland. At the same time, Afghanistan’s former Foreign Minister condemned the massacre as “heartbreaking and shocking” and called on Iranian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, emphasizing the need for justice and accountability.
Addressing the Taliban in a message on X, former Foreign Minister Hanif Atmar urged the current regime to respect the people’s will, end their repression, and honor the rights and freedoms of citizens. He stressed that if the Taliban fail to do so, Afghanistanis will continue to be forced to leave their homes and livelihoods behind. Mohsin Dawar, a senior figure in the Pashtun Protection Movement, decried the Iranian border guards’ actions as a “massacre and a crime against humanity.” In a message on X, he lamented the cruelty inflicted upon vulnerable Afghanistani refugees, stating, “The sheer brutality against Afghanistanis fleeing persecution is deeply distressing.”
Fawzia Koofi, the former representative of Badakhshan province in the Afghanistan parliament, also responded to the event, pointing out the difficult position in which Afghans find themselves. She said, “Afghanistani citizens are faced with impossible choices. Our neighbors should not add to our suffering.” Human rights advocate Alama Bayat characterized the incident as a “crime,” urging the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to uphold its duty to defend migrant rights.
In her post on X, Bayat remarked: “The atrocities our fellow citizens experienced at the Iranian border are heinous crimes. Iran has blatantly violated international conventions regarding refugee rights, committing these acts without consequence.” The “Halvash” report confirmed that the massacre took place on Sunday evening, October 13, in the Saravan region along the Iran-Afghanistan border. Iranian military forces opened fire on Afghanistani refugees attempting to cross into Iranian territory. The report further noted that Iranian forces ambushed the group at the border, resulting in the deaths or severe injuries of nearly 300 individuals.
This horrific event underscores the grave dangers faced by Afghanistani migrants and highlights the urgent need for global attention and intervention to address both the immediate humanitarian crisis and the underlying causes of displacement.
