A delegation of Koranic students will visit the Turkish capital in the coming days. Ankara has deported at least 40,000 refugees in the last seven months. For Kabul, there are unresolved issues regarding statistics, deportation procedures and assistance provided to Afghans.
Istanbul () – The issue of migrants is once again at the center of talks between the Turkish government and the Taliban who have been in power for a year in Afghanistan, where there is an exodus of the population trying to escape from the violence and impositions of Koranic students. According to Kabul sources, a delegation from the Ministry of Refugees and Returnees will pay an official visit to Ankara to discuss the emergency. The Turkish government estimates that in the last seven months local authorities have deported at least 40,000 refugees back to Afghanistan because they have no documents or permits.
The Bakhtar agency reported that the deputy minister of the Ministry of Refugees of the Taliban government, Mohammad Arsala Kharouti, affirms that Kabul is “dissatisfied” with the meetings and conversations held so far with the Turkish authorities. The central theme of the differences is the issue of Afghan refugees and how to guarantee their return to their country. “We want this delegation – added the Taliban leader – to engage in extensive discussions on the repatriation of refugees and the problems and challenges in this regard” to find long-term solutions.
Kabul believes that there are problems and unresolved issues regarding statistics, deportation procedures and the assistance provided by Turkey. Deputy Minister Kharouti explained that the Taliban ask Ankara to provide adequate facilities to the refugees, respecting the rights guaranteed by international norms and treaties.
The issue of Afghan refugees, who travel a route not without risk through Iran and Turkey to try to reach Europe, the United States or Australia, remains critical. In recent months there have been numerous episodes of violations and abuses, such as that of the migrant who died of cold when she was crossing the border, although she managed to get her children to safety before succumbing to the frigid temperatures. An source reported that “many people” have died along the border in a “desperate attempt” to start a new life away from the Taliban, who have already imposed numerous rules inspired by Sharia, Islamic law.
The exact number of Afghan refugees in Turkey is not known, although the government estimates there to be around 120,000. Interviewed by Middle East Eye, lawyer and activist Mahmut Kacan, specializing in human rights and refugee-related issues, explained that since the beginning of the year the Turkish authorities have left only two options for Afghan refugees: “Those who do not want to return voluntarily are sent to Iran, where they risk being trapped in precarious conditions, without any support and abused by Islamic Republic agents and border guards.
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