N Analysis of the Situation of Afghan Refugees in Iran
3. An Analysis of the Situation of Afghan Refugees in Iran
Abas Abdie
Introduction
The influx of 25 to 30% of the Afghan population to Iran and Pakistan over the years has made an in-depth study of their situation necessary. The importance of such a study becomes evident when we take into consideration that there is a basic difference between Afghan refugees in Iran, refugees in Pakistan and refugees in other parts of the world.
Any kind of planning for the reception of refugees and for the improvement of their situation should be based on the assumption that the refugee is trying to preserve his national identity and is looking forward to returning to his own country.
The Difference Between Afghan Refugees in Iran and in Pakistan
Altogether more than five million Afghan refugees live in Iran and Pakistan. Although they come from a single country and apparently have the same reason for seeking asylum, each refugee chases one of these two countries according to his needs and his circumstances. As there are basic differences between the two countries concerning the admission of refugees, the refugees in Iran have different characteristics in comparison with the refugees in Pakistan. Such characteristics can be seen in language, religion, ethnicity, status of living, employment, sex and age combination, as well as in the motive for seeking asylum and the way of the eventual settlement.
Most of the Afghan refugees in Pakistan live in frontier camps. They preserve their social texture, and their situation is such that as soon as the political circumstances allow it they immediately return to their home country. The situation for Afghan refugees in Iran is a different one. This difference has grown out of some peculiarities of the admission policy for refugees in Iran.
These peculiarities are:
A- The allocation of refugees to different regions in Iran. The proportion of refugees in each province varies according to
Abas Abdie
Introduction
The influx of 25 to 30% of the Afghan population to Iran and Pakistan over the years has made an in-depth study of their situation necessary. The importance of such a study becomes evident when we take into consideration that there is a basic difference between Afghan refugees in Iran, refugees in Pakistan and refugees in other parts of the world.
Any kind of planning for the reception of refugees and for the improvement of their situation should be based on the assumption that the refugee is trying to preserve his national identity and is looking forward to returning to his own country.
The Difference Between Afghan Refugees in Iran and in Pakistan
Altogether more than five million Afghan refugees live in Iran and Pakistan. Although they come from a single country and apparently have the same reason for seeking asylum, each refugee chases one of these two countries according to his needs and his circumstances. As there are basic differences between the two countries concerning the admission of refugees, the refugees in Iran have different characteristics in comparison with the refugees in Pakistan. Such characteristics can be seen in language, religion, ethnicity, status of living, employment, sex and age combination, as well as in the motive for seeking asylum and the way of the eventual settlement.
Most of the Afghan refugees in Pakistan live in frontier camps. They preserve their social texture, and their situation is such that as soon as the political circumstances allow it they immediately return to their home country. The situation for Afghan refugees in Iran is a different one. This difference has grown out of some peculiarities of the admission policy for refugees in Iran.
These peculiarities are:
A- The allocation of refugees to different regions in Iran. The proportion of refugees in each province varies according to