Bayan News – After widespread condemnation of the mistreatment of Afghan migrants by Iranian police, Sayed Rasoul Mousavi, the assistant to the foreign minister of Iran, has described the anti-immigrant sentiment in Iran as a ‘foreigner’ project.
This Iranian diplomat wrote on the X platform on Friday (August 9th): “I inform you that no authority or institution in Iran has accepted xenophobia and considers it contrary to the Islamic tradition of brotherhood and the culture of hospitality, and they consider xenophobia as a ‘foreigner’ project.”
Mr. Mousavi further added: “But just as the people of Iran are obliged to abide by the laws of Iran, foreign nationals must also comply with the laws and regulations of Iran.”
However, in recent days, a video has been circulated on social media networks showing an Iranian police officer kneeling on the neck of a young Afghan migrant named Seyed Mehdi Mousavi, and ignoring his mother’s pleas for his release.
This behavior of the Iranian police officers has provoked widespread reactions from social media users.
Additionally, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Permanent Mission of Afghanistan to the United Nations has also condemned these actions by the Iranian police, emphasizing that they are punishable under international law.
On the other hand, some Iranian university professors, in reaction to the mistreatment of migrants by the police, have added that refugees in Western countries have rights, but in Iran, even after years of refuge, they have no rights.
Sadiq Zibakalam, a professor at the University of Tehran, wrote on the X platform: “Once again, the unfortunate Afghans who have sought refuge with us due to unfortunate circumstances are being subjected to arrest and deportation by the police forces.”
According to this university professor, “the deported [Afghans] eventually return to Iran again.”
Sadiq Zibakalam is a professor of political science and the author of several famous books in the field of social and political sciences. Mr. Zibakalam’s books are also read in Afghanistan.
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