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Campaign in support of, and for the protection of Deportation of millions of our fellow citizens, Afghan immigrants residing in Iran, has once again come up on the agenda of the Islamic Republic. After years of living and working in Iran, under harshest and least rights, Afghan immigrants are now facing the threat of deportation. The security forces have been organised to arrest and deport them with no rights or compensation what-so-ever. They are sacked from work and deported to Afghanistan along with the rest of their family members. Most unacceptable and demeaning of it all, is that deportations are carried out under the banner of jobs for Iranian workers. Authorities are closing down those schools which Afghan immigrants have established with their own finances, in order to forcefully separate the children from their environment and deport them. We are all well aware of the working and living conditions of Afghans residing in Iran. For years, the rights and respect of this section of our citizens have been most inhumanely trampled upon. They are not recognised as citizens and even worse, they are not recognised as human beings. The state, authorities, bosses, and in fact anyone who so pleases, offend them, and hardly anyone does in their defence, no protest action, no setting up of some centre, no calls for changes in legislations, … Not only are immigrant Afghans denied of any rights in the society, but oppressing and bullying them and even at times murdering them, do not get followed up by the authorities or considered as prosecutable offences. Afghan Refugees and immigrants are forced to work longer hours for less pay and have no right to protest. They are denied any rights to housing, education, trade, marriage, free travel, …. . They are treated worse than slaves in ancient times. This must change. The deportation, suppression and bullying of Afghan immigrant must cease. Existing campaigns, societies, and centres in Iran must stand up in support of our fellow workers and do something. I would like to announce a campaign with such an aim, and hope that many societies and campaigns do form around this issue. I am ready to work with all those who wish to do something against deportations, and in support of Afghan immigrants. The objectives of the campaign in support and for protection of Afghan immigrants are: 1- Preventing and stopping the deportation of Afghan immigrants I call upon all personalities, institutions and political parties to cooperate with this campaign, and please contact me. Borhan Divargar |