§ Mr. TynanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many Afghan refugees have been deported from Iran.[24930]
§ Hilary BennThe United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has received periodic reports of the deportation of small groups of Afghans over the past few months but does not have precise figures. It also estimates that over 140,000 Afghans returned home voluntarily from Iran during 2001, one-third of them since Herat city fell on 12 November 2001.
We continue to do all we can to ensure that Afghan refugees are properly cared for and give neighbouring countries the necessary support to cope with the burden of refugees, for whom they have generously provided for so long.