Iran Deporting Afghan Refugees

(RFE/RL) KABUL, April 27, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry is expressing concern over the expulsion of Afghan refugees from Iran, RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan reported.

Afghan officials say Iran is sending home around 5,000 refugees a day, but that Afghanistan lacks the capacity to accommodate the influx.

Tehran says the refugees are residing in Iran illegally.

Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesman Sultan Ahmed Bahin told RFE/RL that Iran's action violates previous arrangements between the two countries.

"After the publishing of the news about the expulsion of our refugees, we sent a note to Iran's embassy and expressed concern," Bahin said. "We said the move goes against talks between Afghan Foreign Minister Dadfar Spanta and Iranian officials, where it was said that patience and tolerance would be used regarding the deportation of refugees."

He added that refugees should be dealt with based on international regulations.

Nearly 2 million Afghan refugees are believed to be living in Iran.

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