Turkey Detains Over 16,000 Afghan Migrants.
Over 16,000 Afghan Migrants Arrested in Turkey; Concerns Over Forced Deportations Rise
ANKARA – Kabul Times News
The Turkish Migration Agency has announced that in the first five months of this year, more than 16,000 Afghan citizens have been detained for not having legal residence documents; a statistic that shows the highest number of detentions among foreign migrants in the country.
According to official statistics, 16,436 Afghan migrants have been identified and detained during surveillance and control operations by security forces and the Turkish Migration Agency. Turkish officials say these measures were taken within the framework of combating illegal immigration and enforcing residency laws.
Reports indicate that a number of detainees are undergoing administrative procedures for return or deportation after being transferred to migrant detention centers. This has increased the concerns of human rights organizations and migrant rights advocates.
Human rights activists warn that forcibly returning migrants to Afghanistan, at a time when the country is facing economic crises, social restrictions and security challenges, could put the lives of many vulnerable people at risk.
In recent years, thousands of Afghan citizens have fled to Turkey due to war, economic hardship and social restrictions. However, the Turkish government’s tightening of immigration policies and increased monitoring of migrants’ residence have made conditions even more difficult for many of them.
Some reports indicate that Afghan migrants in Turkey face problems including limited access to job opportunities, uncertain residence status and fears of detention and deportation.
Turkey Detains Over 16,000 Afghan Migrants.
