Afghanistan COI Repository

IOM, IOM announces US$ 2 million project funded by the People of Japan to support undocumented Afghan migrants returning from abroad, 15 December 2022

“The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Afghanistan is pleased to announce a new US$2 million project funded by the People of Japan to continue providing emergency response and assistance to undocumented, returning Afghan migrants affected by economic downturn and humanitarian crises in the border provinces of Hirat, Nimroz, Kandahar, and Nangarhar. This funding forms part of the People of Japan’s recently announced US$106.7 million assistance package for Afghanistan to enable UN agencies, international and non-

governmental organizations (NGOs) to implement humanitarian projects.”

 

IOM (DTM), Movement in and out of Afghanistan Snapshot (16-30 November 2022), 8 December 2022

“[….] IDP ARRIVALS 1,804,363 Jan 2021 - Apr 2022 […] Arrival IDPs are Afghans who fled their communities of origin and have arrived in the assessed locations within Afghanistan as a result of, or in order to avoid, the effects of armed conflict, generalized violence, human rights violations, protection concerns, or natural and human-made disasters.

[…] “INDIVIDUALS RETURNED FROM ABROAD 1,092,692 Jan 2021 - Apr 2022 […] Afghans who have returned to the assessed locations after having spent at least six months abroad. This includes both documented and undocumented returnees.”

UNHCR, Afghanistan situation update, 4 December 2022

“In 2022, 6,148 Afghan refugees voluntarily returned to Afghanistan – over four times more than the overall number of returns in 2021. Of this figure, 94 per cent of returnees were from Pakistan while the restreturned from Iran, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, and Russia. The main reasons cited by returnees for leaving include high living costs and lack of employment opportunities in host countries as well as a desire to be reunited with family and the perceived improved security situation in Afghanistan. In addition to cash grants, a range of inter-agency services areprovided to returning refugees, including basic health and malnutrition screening and vaccination, information on school enrolment and overnight accommodation, if needed.”

 

UNHCR, Voluntary Repatriation; Response Snapshot; 01 January - 31 October 2022, 1 December 2022 [INFOGRAPHIC]

 

Human Rights Watch, Turkey Pushes Afghans Back at Iran Border, 18 November 2022

“(Ankara, November 18, 2022) – Turkey is routinely pushing tens of thousands of Afghans back at its land border with Iran or deporting them directly to Afghanistan with little or no examination of their claims for international protection, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today”

 

Displacement Tracking Matrix, DTM Afghanistan: Returnee Longitudinal Survey (RLS) Round 8, 31 October 2022 “The key finding of the RLS Round 8 is that returnees continue to experience significant economic and food-related challenges. Most of the respondents (96%) indicated that their household monthly income was not enough to provide for their family’s basic needs and all respondents reduced the quantity and quality of their food intake sometimes, often, or very often because of its cost.”

“At the time of the interview, 83 per cent at the personal level and 81 per cent at the household level reported

that their economic situation had worsened since the last interview (Round 7: August - September 2022).

[…] Most respondents (96%) reported that their household income was not enough to cover their basic needs. Common coping mechanisms for insufficient income include borrowing money from friends or relatives (96%), reducing food expenditures (91%), reducing expenditures on health and non-food items (28%), relying on humanitarian assistance and donations (13%) and selling productive assets or means of transportation (13%). Participants were asked if they had received any humanitarian assistance. Ten per cent had received humanitarian assistance since the last interview (Round 7) either from an international organization, the United Nations (UN), or personal sources. Ninety per cent of respondents had not received any humanitarian assistance. Of those who had received humanitarian assistance, a large majority indicated they had received food assistance (84%) and 16 per cent received financial assistance (cash).” “Community safety ratings among participants were generally positive, with 57 per cent of respondents reporting that the safety situation in their community was good or very good at the personal level and at the household level. Thirty-four per cent of participants at the personal level and 35 per cent at the household level, however, rated safety levels as poor or very poor in their communities. Sixty-four per cent of interviewees said they felt they were able to continue to stay and live in Afghanistan. Among these participants, people who had returned from the EU (24%) were less likely to respond that they could stay in Afghanistan compared to people who had returned from Türkiye (70%). Participants were also asked if they had the intention to migrate abroad in the next six months. Forty-seven per cent of respondents indicated that they would like to re-migrate in the next six months, this increased from 36 per cent in Round 7. Respondents who had returned from the EU (76%) were more likely to have intentions to re-migrate compared to respondents who had returned from Türkiye (43%).”

 

UNHCR, Voluntary Repatriation Response Snapshot (1 January – 31 July 2022), 14 September 2022

“1451 registered Afghan refugees returned to Afghanistan between 01 January - 31 July 2022 of whom 1,227 returned from Pakistan, 220 from Iran and 4 from other countries. This figure is 20% Greater compared to the 1,451 Afghan refugee returned to Afghanistan during the same period in 2021.

5,273,478 Afghan refugees have returned to Afghanistan between Mar 2002 to July 2022.

$373,354 has been provided to 1,451 refugee returnees in 2022 to support their immediate humanitarian needs and

transportation costs.”

 

Amnesty International, Afghanistan: “They don’t treat us like humans”: Unlawful returns of Afghans from Turkey

and Iran, 31 August 2022

“Since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in August 2021, hundreds of thousands of Afghans have fled the country. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, more than 180,000 Afghans in need of international protection have arrived in neighbouring countries since 1 January 2021, but the overall number of Afghans with international protection needs is likely to be much higher. Most of the men, women and children who attempt to cross into Iran do not have valid travel documents and put their lives at risk to make the journey. Many of them are pushed back into Afghanistan, some remain in Iran, and some travel the length of Iran before attempting a similarly dangerous crossing into Turkey. This report presents Amnesty International’s research on the hazardous journey undertaken by Afghans fleeing their home country. It documents unlawful killings, pushbacks by shooting and other unlawful returns, arbitrary detention, and torture and other ill-treatment of Afghans at the hands of both Iranian and Turkish officials. It is Amnesty International’s position, in line with UNHCR, that no Afghan should be returned to Afghanistan, because of the real risk of serious human rights violations they could face there. Based on the findings of this report, Amnesty International also concludes that no country should forcibly return Afghans to either Turkey or Iran, where they would be at real risk of unlawful return to Afghanistan.”

 

UNHCR, Afghanistan Situation Update, 17 August 2022

“Refugee arrivals. There are more than 180,000 reported newly arriving Afghans seeking international protection to neighbouring countries since 1 January 2021. Most of those interviewed report leaving Afghanistan for protection- related reasons. The overall number of Afghans with international refugee protection needs is likely to be much higher, as not all approach or contact UNHCR. At the same time, authorities in Pakistan have indicated that more than 250,000 Afghans have arrived in the country since August 2021 for a variety of reasons, while authorities in Iran indicate that, according to evolving estimates, that between 500,000 and 1 million Afghans have arrived in the country since January 2021.

Refugee returns. Since the start of the year, some 1,576 Afghan refugees have returned under UNHCR’s facilitated voluntary repatriation programme, including 231 from Iran and 1,340 from Pakistan. This figure surpasses the 1,300 Afghans who came back during the full year of 2021, and almost triples the number who returned up to this point in 2020. Returnees have indicated that the main reasons for their returns movements from Iran and Pakistan include costs of living and lack of employment opportunities in their host countries, reunification with family in Afghanistan, improved security situation, and land allocation opportunities in Afghanistan. As highlighted above, UNHCR provides cash assistance to those returning to help support their reintegration in Afghanistan, while also running programmes and projects in priority areas of return and reintegration.”

 

UNHCR, Voluntary Repatriation; Response Snapshot; 01 January - 30 June 2022, 1 August 2022 [infographic]

 

UNHCR, Iran; Voluntary repatriation since January 2022, 31 July 2022 [infographic]

 

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) (Afghanistan) Afghanistan: Snapshot of Population Movements, January to July 2022 (As of 26 July 2022) 26 July 2022

“In 2022, displacement due to ongoing conflict reduced and natural disasters is continuing to drive humanitarian needs in Afghanistan. Almost 7.4K people have left their homes this year due to fighting. In addition to this, close to 508.6K people have returned from neighboring countries to Afghanistan so far this year including 462.3K from Iran, and 46.3K from Pakistan.”

 

UNHCR, Voluntary Repatriation of Afghan Refugees - South West Asia Quarterly Update, 2022 Q2 , 18 July 2022

“In 2022, 1,178 Afghan refugees have returned to Afghanistan, surpassing the 1,148 Afghans who came back during the same period in 2021, and more than triple the number who returned up to this point in 2020. Returnees stated as the main reasons behind return movements from Iran and Pakistan the UNHCR assistance package, cost of living and lack of employment opportunities in host countries, reunification with family, improved security situation, and government land allocation programme1 in Afghanistan. So far this year, some 19% of the refugee returnees have returned to Kabul (218), 11% to Kunduz (125) and 9% Herat (104). At Encashment Centres in Afghanistan, returning refugees receive a cash grant of an average USD 250 per individual, while also running programmes and projects in priority areas of return and reintegration.”

 

DTM IOM Report, Afghanistan RLS Snapshot Report Round 5 (7 – 26 May 2022), 13 July 2022

“To better understand the demographic profiles, living conditions and reintegration processes of Afghan returnees, IOM, under the EU-funded project “Displacement Tracking Matrix Regional Evidence for Migration Analysis and

Policy (DTM REMAP)”, developed the Returnee Longitudinal.”

 

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Gandhara, Plane Arrives in Netherlands with 181 Afghan Refugges from Pakistan, 13 July 2022

"A plane has arrived in the Netherlands with a 181 Afghans who had fled their war-torn country, the Dutch government said on July 13.

The refugees on the flight from Pakistan were the latest group of Afghans to fly to safety following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan last year after the pullout of Western troops.

Most of the group left Afghanistan by crossing the land border into Pakistan, where Dutch diplomats and the International Organization for Migration helped them reach the capital, Islamabad.

Pakistani authorities allowed the Afghans, who did not have valid travel documents, into the South Asian nation so they could travel on to the Netherlands.

The Netherlands has pledged to evacuate Afghans who assisted Dutch diplomats and military personnel before the Taliban seized power.

The Dutch government said on July 13 that it hopes to evacuate “as many eligible people as possible” from

Afghanistan who are able to make it to Pakistan.

The Dutch Foreign Affairs Ministry said earlier this year that it had brought 1,801 Afghans to the Netherlands since late August 2021."

 

IOM, Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) (Afghanistan), Afghanistan — Baseline Mobility Assessment and Emergency Community-Based Needs Assessment Summary Results (March—April 2022), July 2022

"10,064,707 former IDPs have returned to their habitual residence [2012–April 2022]”

"5,737,462 individuals returned from abroad [2012–April 2022]" [Changes from 2021 to 2022]

"Returnees from abroad numbered 5,149,245 in Round 14 and by Round 15, the total increased by 11%, reaching 5,737,462 individuals. Almost half (48%) returned from Pakistan, 44% returned from the Islamic Republic of Iran, and only 6% returned from

[Returned IDPs changes from 2021 to 2022:]

"…Afghans who have returned to their home or place of origin in the assessed location or settlement from which they had previously fled as IDPs, as a result of, or in order to avoid, the effects of armed conflict, generalized violence, human rights violations, protection concerns, or natural and humanmade disasters."

"Kunduz province has the most returned IDPs compared to all provinces (1,948,537 individuals, or 19% of all returned IDPs), the majority of which returned between 2012 and 2018."

"Nuristan province witnessed a 91% increase in returned IDPs between December 2021 and April 2022. Daykundi province saw fewer IDPs compared to the previous round, a decrease of 31%."

"10,064,707 individuals have been IDPs and returned to their habitual residence in 2012 and 2022" "4 in 5 returned from other locations within their home province (78%)"

"1 in 5 19% of all returned IDPs returned to Kunduz province"

"98% of IDPs from Zabul province have not returned home"

"4,603,766 individuals returned in 2021 and 2022 alone (46% of all returned IDPs)"

"In 2021, the number reached an unprecedented level, increasing to almost 4 million returned IDPs, a 255% increase compared to 2020. In the first four months of 2022 alone, almost 700,000 IDPs have returned to their places of origin. The high number of returned IDPs in 2021 and 2022 could be attributed to changes in the security situation and encouragement from the government for IDPs to return."

"Almost four out of five returned IDPs (78%) returned within their province of origin. Just over one in five returned IDPs (22%) had been displaced to and returned from another province."

"Almost all of the IDPs who returned to Uruzgan province were displaced within Uruzgan province (94%). Virtually all of the IDPs who returned to Panjsher province were in displacement in another province (98%)."

"Zabul province has the highest rate of non-return: 98% of those who have displaced from Zabul have not yet returned to their habitual residences."

"Forty-two per cent of individuals who were previously displaced and have returned to their habitual residence (place of origin) are in rural settlements, followed closely by peri-urban settlements (38%). One in five (20%) returned to urban settlements."

[Returnees from Abroad changes from 2021 to 2022]

"…Afghan nationals who have returned to the assessed locations after having spent at least six months abroad. This includes both documented persons (Afghans who were registered as refugees in host countries and requested voluntary return with UNHCR and relevant national authorities) and undocumented p e r s o n s (Afghans who returned spontaneously or were deported from host countries, irrespective of whether or not they were registered as refugees with UNHCR and relevant national authorities). "

"Among all provinces across Afghanistan, Nangarhar received the most returnees from abroad (659,187 individuals, or 11% of all returnees from abroad)."

"…Nuristan province witnessed the largest increase in returnees from abroad, with an increase of 142%. Uruzgan province saw the largest decrease in Afghans returning from abroad: -39% between December 2021 and April 2022."

"5,737,462 individuals returned after moving across international borders" "2,758,335 returned from Pakistan (48%)"

"3,926,133 undocumented returnees from Pakistan & the Islamic Republic of Iran (74%)"

"2,539,977 returned from the Islamic Republic of Iran (44%), 1,372,179 documented returnees from Pakistan & the Islamic Republic of Iran (26%)"

"439,150 returned from non-neighbouring countries (8%)."

"The number of Afghans going to all four of the most common destinations for those moving abroad (Europe & Türkiye, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Pakistan) increased between 2019 and 2021."

" Afghans returning from the Islamic Republic of Iran grew significantly from 2019 to 2020; there was a 63% increase (from 225,262 to 368,134 individuals). By 2021, this trend slowed, by 2021 compared to 2020, there was a 16% increase in Afghans returning from the Islamic Republic of Iran (from 368,134 to 426,884 individuals). A total of 2,473,057 Afghans (both documented and undocumented) have returned from Iran since 2012."

"The overwhelming majority of Afghans who have returned from Pakistan have returned to Kabul province (78% of all who have returned)."

"Over one-third of Afghans who have returned from abroad to Afghanistan returned to rural areas (39%) followed by peri-urban areas (31%) and urban areas (30%)."

 

IOM, UNOCHA, UNHCR, AFGHANISTAN: Snapshot of Population Movements (May 2022), 25 May 2022

“In 2022, displacement due to ongoing conflict reduced and natural disasters is continuing to drive humanitarian needs in Afghanistan. There is no displacement reported this year. 381.6K people have returned from neighboring countries to Afghanistan so far this year including 247.0K from Iran, and 34.6K from Pakistan.”

 

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Afghanistan: Snapshot of Population Movements, May 2022 (As of 25 May 2022), 25 May 2022

"There is no displacement reported this year. 381.6K people have returned from neighbouring countries to Afghanistan so far this year including 347.0K from Iran, and 34.6K from Pakistan."

 

UNHCR, Operational Data Portal: Refugee Situations, Last updated 23 May 2022

“The humanitarian situation inside Afghanistan deteriorated in 2021 with significant consequences for the most vulnerable among the population. Some 3.4 million people are currently displaced by conflict. UNHCR is responding to this emergency. In Iran and Pakistan, which are neighbours of Afghanistan, there are also 2 million registered Afghan refugees. The majority of these refugees fled Afghanistan over the years, including from as early as 1979. A further 5.3 million refugees returned to Afghanistan in phases since 2002, but this trends has been declining in recent times. In August 2021, UNHCR has also released a non-return advisory for Afghanistan, calling for a halt on forced returns of Afghan nationals, including asylum seekers who have had their claims rejected. […]

Refugee returnees to Afghanistan in 2022 […]

403

Last updated 23 May 2022”

 

UNHCR, Voluntary Repatriation of Afghan Refugees; South West Asia - Quarterly Update; January - March 2022, 15 May 2022

“During the first quarter of 2022, 131 Afghans returned under the programme, of which 58% are children (under

18), the month of March registered the highest figure for returns in 2022, with 57 (44%).”

 

UNHCR, Refugee returnees to Afghanistan in 2022, 11 May 2022

“237 Last updated 11 May 2022”

 

Ariana News, Haqqani calls on former officials to return home, assures them of their security, 25 April 2022

“”We invite those who went abroad to return home. High-ranking officials of the former government can live here

with dignity. The Islamic Emirate fully defends your honor, dignity and property,” said Haqqani.

A number of political analysts have meanwhile said that the Islamic Emirate should create a proper mechanism for the return of skilled Afghans who left the country and that the general amnesty should be implemented properly across the country.”

 

US DOS, 2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Afghanistan, 12 April 2022

“The pre-August 15 government cooperated with UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and other humanitarian organizations to provide protection and assistance to IDPs, returning refugees, and other persons of concern. The Taliban has cooperated to a limited extent with UNHCR, the IOM, or other humanitarian organizations. On September 13, UN Refugee Commissioner Filippo Grandi visited the country and met with the Taliban’s so-called interim minister of refugees and repatriation affairs Khalil-ur-Rahmen Haqqani. […] The IOM estimated that all returning migrants required humanitarian assistance. Between January and September, the IOM recorded a total of 866,889 undocumented Afghans returning or being deported from Iran and Pakistan. In the same time period, the IOM recorded 40,089 assisted returnees. UNHCR reported the number of registered refugees returning remained lower than in 2020, mainly due to the Taliban takeover. The country lacked the capacity to reintegrate successfully large numbers of returnees due to continuing insecurity, poor development, and high unemployment, exacerbated by COVID-19. Insecurity and lack of services meant most recent returnees could not return to their places of origin. While numbers of deportations or spontaneous voluntary returns were trending upwards, the seizure of Kabul by the Taliban in August disrupted accurate tracking of returnees.”

 

Ariana News, Iran steps up deportation of Afghan refugees, 6 April 2022

"At least 3,000 Afghan refugees return to Afghanistan from Iran every day, many of whom are forcibly returned, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) officials have reported.

Investigations by the Ministry of Refugees found that 7,500 people entered Afghanistan from the Iranian border in the past two days.

According to the ministry, of these people, 5,500 were forcibly returned to Afghanistan by the Iranian government. People who went to Iran due to political developments or poverty and hunger, now have bitter narratives of forced deportation from Iran.

“When you leave Afghanistan, extortion and looting begin. They [Iranians] are very annoyed,” said one of the forced

returnees.

“On the way back home, if you get caught by them, they will take money from you, in short, they will do whatever they want,” said another forced returnee."

 

UNHCR, Voluntary Repatriation Response Snapshot, 31 March 2022

“74 Registered Afghan refugees returned to Afghanistan between 1 Jan 2022 to 28 Feb 2022 of whom 47 returned from Iran and 27 from Pakistan […]

$19,679 Has been provided to 74 refugee returnees in 2022 to support their immediate humanitarian needs and

transportation costs.”

 

Khaama Press, Half million Afghans return to country in six months: Taliban, 1 March 2022

“Ministry of Refugees and Repatriates of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan said that 500,000 Afghans in exile have

returned to Afghanistan in the past six months.”

Deputy of the Ministry Muhammad Arsala Kharoti in a press conference in Kabul on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, said that most of the repatriates are from neighboring Pakistan and Iran.

Muhammad Arsala Kharotis further added that presently seven million Afghan refugees live in Pakistan, Iran, and other countries. He added that the Ministry is striving to make these people come back to the country.

Based on the information of the Ministry, 250 thousand families have been helped with by the Ministry since the resurgence of the IEA in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, three million people in Afghanistan have received aid from international organizations through the Ministry.

The IEA recently announced that no family will be allowed to leave the country in the case of an emergency. The IEA

has also halted evacuation until Afghan refugees in different countries behave well.”

UNHCR, Afghanistan situation: Emergency preparedness and response in Iran, 23 January 2022

“Afghans who are apprehended while trying to enter Iran continue to be returned to Afghanistan despite UNHCR's non-return advisory and advocacy for those fleeing conflict to be provide asylum. Through the analysis of available data and information, UNHCR estimates that 65% of all newly arriving Afghan asylum seekers are deported from Iran by the Government.

Provincial BAFIA has reported that in Sistan and Baluchistan Province approximately 400 Afghans are arrested per day and most are deported in less than 24 hours. This is consistent with the previous trend. Currently, there are 28 Afghan families (138 individuals) kept in Al-ghadir supervisory camp whose deportations are suspended pending decision from Central BAFIA. Suspension of deportation is extremely rare and limited to these families kept in Al- Ghadir. In Rey County, the Police Commander stated that 1,800 foreign nationals were arrested and deported from the county in the past 6 months and the presence of irregular foreign nationals is not acceptable.

In 2021, the total number of voluntary repatriations assisted through Field Unit Dogharoun reached 851 individuals, of which 57.3% were students who then re-enter Iran on a student visa. During the first half of January 2022, 24 applicants were assisted, including 16 students (67%), to return to Afghanistan. This suggest that refugee students still show interest in traveling to Afghanistan for status change, as opposed to going to Kish Island (which the Government put in place after August). This could be associated with volrep package assistance they receive. UNHCR continues to disseminate relevant information on voluntary repatriation and the situation in Afghanistan to all those undertaking voluntary return to Afghanistan. What happens to individuals who have left Afghanistan and return?”

 

Operational Data Portal, (UNHCR) (Afghanistan), Afghanistan situation, 20 December 2021

“Refugee returnees to Afghanistan in 2021: 1,341”

Khaama Press, Taliban’s provincial governors directed to resolve problems of those seeking asylum abroad, 8 December 2021

“In a recent decree, supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Mullah Hebtullah Akhund directed all the provincial governors of Afghanistan to solve the problems of those who are fleeing Afghanistan and seeking asylum elsewhere.

A statement released by the spokesperson’s office of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reads that people who are going abroad are facing various problems both on the way and in refugee camps.

The statement further reads that Afghan refugees confront the problems of security, ethical degeneration, and other humanitarian issues.

“Some inflammatory programs endanger belief, ethics, and spiritual values. Afghans are mostly made to fabricate anti-Islam documents to gain citizenship. People who must utilize their ability and professionalism inside Afghanistan, go abroad and do some inferior jobs.” Reads the statement.

Hence, the statement directed all provincial governors and religious scholars to meet these people and resolve their problems.

Heads of the provinces were also asked to escalate efforts for the security of people especially the security of businessmen, investors, and specialists in order to convince them to stay in their country and work.

It comes as hundreds of thousands of Afghans are still finding ways to flee Afghanistan and seek asylum abroad.”

 

UNHCR, Document - Afghanistan Situation External Update - 1 December 2021, 8 December 2021

“Deportations of Afghans have also escalated from Pakistan, Iran and Tajikistan in the recent period, in contravention of UNHCR’s non-return advisory. UNHCR estimates that an average of 3,000 Afghans have been deported from Iran to Afghanistan daily between August and November. In Pakistan, deportations of some 1,800 Afghans were reported during September and October. UNHCR is also seriously concerned by the deportation of twenty-three Afghan asylum-seekers, including women and children, from Tajikistan during the past month.”

 

Operational Data Portal, (UNHCR) (Afghanistan), Afghanistan situation, 8 December 2021

“Refugee returnees to Afghanistan in 2021: 1,317”

 

Operational Data Portal, (UNHCR) (Afghanistan), Afghanistan situation, 28 November 2021

“Refugee returnees to Afghanistan in 2021: 1,304”

 

Operational Data portal, (UNHCR) (Afghanistan), Afghanistan situation: Emergency preparedness and response in Iran, 25 November 2021

“Afghans who are apprehended while trying to enter Iran continue to be returned to Afghanistan, despite UNHCR's non-return advisory and advocacy to provide asylum to those fleeing conflict. Through its analysis of available data and information, UNHCR estimates that over 1,000 Afghans are being returned daily to their country by Iran. On 16 August 2021, UNHCR issued a non-return advisory for Afghanistan, which remains in place. UNHCR is seeking further clarity and reiterating the principle of nonrefoulment to the Government.”