Afghan migrants victims of human traffickers

By Khalilur Rahman Salahshoor

ERZURUM, Turkey (AA) - Unemployment, poverty and precarious security conditions in their country are forcing more and more Afghans to make the perilous journey west in search of better living standards and often fall prey to human traffickers.

There has been a significant increase over last year in the number of Afghans trying to enter into Turkey illegally from the Iran border, especially in the provinces of Erzurum, Agri, Igdir, and Van.

Only last week, at least 2,500 Afghan nationals were held by Turkish security forces.

After legal procedures, irregular migrants are being sent back to their country with charter flights from Erzurum.

In hopes of reaching Istanbul as they are promised by human traffickers, Afghans pay $1,000 to $1,300 to their smugglers.

- Over $1,000 for human traffickers

Afghan national Muhammad Ishak said that he endured a 50-kilometer walk from the Iranian border to reach Agri.

He told Anadolu Agency that the traffickers had left 180 Afghans -- including himself -- behind and run away.

"The traffickers said they could get me to Istanbul if I paid them $1,300. After I paid the money they took me with some other Afghans to the Iranian border. After we crossed the mountains we reached the Saravan region in Iran’s Sistan-Belucistan state. Later we came with other smugglers to the Turkish-Iranian border," he said.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Atikullah, who only gave his first name, said that he paid the smugglers $1,000 as they too promised him to take him to Istanbul, but instead left him at the Iranian border.

"We spent 11 days in Iran and during this time we were exposed to many thefts and despite all the hardships we managed to get here. We will work to help our families if we do not get caught on this path. If we will be arrested we will be deported and return to our country," he said.

Atikullah said that he was not interested in reaching Europe but only Istanbul to find work.

- Bad treatment in Iran

Gulam Hussain, another Afghan migrant, said that he left Lagman region in Afghanistan which was under the control of the Taliban.

"Our livelihood problems were getting worse every day. I started this journey to reach Europe, but I face a lot of difficulties, especially in Iran," he said.

Gulaga Seyit Murat, one of the undocumented Afghans held in Erzurum at the provincial migration authority, said that living conditions in Iran were very bad.

"I left my country to work in Iran but the working conditions in Iran are also bad and I could not find a job. Iran does not want us, we get arrested and deported wherever they see us," he said.

Muhammed, who too gave only his first name, entered Turkey illegally after living in Iran for 25 years.

Muhammed said that during his time in Iran his family was deprived of all rights.

“We could not even go to school in Iran. This is why we came to Turkey. We are Muslims and brothers with the Turkish people. We ask Turkish authorities not to send us back to our country. They can place us at any place in Turkey, we will work and pay for our own expenses," he said.