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Iranian, Dutch officials hold talks over Afghan refugees
De Bont and a UNHCR representative visited migrant service centers in Tehran, where Iranian officials outlined human-centered policies focused on employment, dignity, and empowerment for refugees.
Iranian and Dutch officials have held discussions in Tehran on ways to strengthen international support for Iran’s efforts to host Afghan refugees, Iranian media reported.
Nader Yar-Ahmadi, head of Iran’s National Organization for Migration, met on Friday with Guusje Korthals Altes, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dutch Ambassador to Iran Emiel de Bont also attended the meeting, according to Tasnim news agency.
Talks focused on attracting infrastructure and financial assistance from other countries to help Iran provide essential services to Afghan refugees. Korthals praised Iran’s generosity and commitment to supporting refugees despite economic challenges, noting the country’s active cooperation with international organizations, particularly the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
“We are aware of the heavy burden of hosting refugees and are ready to help address these challenges, regardless of political differences,” Korthals said, emphasizing the need for greater global support to ease the pressure on host nations.
Yar-Ahmadi highlighted Iran’s ongoing efforts to boost cooperation with international organizations, enhance efficiency, and share experiences to overcome migration-related challenges. He noted that tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, along with limited international assistance, have slowed the voluntary return of Afghan refugees. Strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation, he added, would help manage the situation more effectively.
Following the talks, De Bont and a UNHCR representative visited migrant service centers in Tehran, where Iranian officials outlined human-centered policies focused on employment, dignity, and empowerment for refugees. They expressed optimism that the visit would pave the way for expanded international cooperation in refugee support.
IOM praises Iran’s role in hosting refugees
In a related development, Kim Eling, Senior Advisor to the Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), commended Iran for its extensive efforts in hosting and supporting Afghan refugees.
Eling made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian Deputy Interior Minister Mohammad Bathaei on the sidelines of the 76th annual session of the UNHCR Executive Committee, held October 6–10 in Geneva.
He noted that reduced financial contributions from donor countries have posed challenges for the UN in implementing refugee assistance programs. Bathaei, for his part, stressed that “despite unilateral sanctions, Iran continues to provide substantial services to foreign nationals” and called on donor countries to fulfill their responsibilities by increasing aid allocations.
During the Geneva session, the Iranian delegation also held talks with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and the UN Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, Kamal Kishore, and delivered a lecture on Iran’s refugee policies.
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Afghanistan publishes 20 new laws and dozens of legal documents over five years
The documents include 20 laws, 77 decrees, 30 orders, eight guidelines, six procedures, three codes, two charters, one regulation, one directive and one legal framework.
The Progress website, affiliated with the Government Media Centre, has reported that Afghanistan’s Ministry of Justice has published 20 laws and dozens of other legislative documents in 31 issues of the Official Gazette since the Islamic Emirate returned to power.
According to the published figures, the documents include 20 laws, 77 decrees, 30 orders, eight guidelines, six procedures, three codes, two charters, one regulation, one directive and one legal framework.
Among the laws published over the past five years are legislation on preventing land grabbing, hearing complaints, the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice, money changers and monetary services, as well as preventing the smuggling of food products and medicines.
The report highlights the Ministry of Justice’s legislative activities and the publication of legal documents through Afghanistan’s Official Gazette during the past five years.
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UN pledges to expand cooperation with Afghanistan as over 8 million migrants return home
Rabab said the United Nations intends to expand its cooperation with Afghanistan in several areas, alongside coordinating humanitarian assistance.
Abdul Salam Hanafi, Administrative Deputy Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, has met with Rabab Fatima, the newly appointed Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan, and her accompanying delegation to discuss humanitarian assistance, economic development and the challenges facing returning Afghan migrants.
During the meeting, Rabbah expressed her satisfaction at having the opportunity to serve the people of Afghanistan. She also spoke positively about development projects carried out in the country by the Islamic Emirate and expressed hope that efforts to promote economic growth and reconstruction would continue.
Rabab said the United Nations intends to expand its cooperation with Afghanistan in several areas, alongside coordinating humanitarian assistance. These include providing alternative livelihood opportunities for farmers, creating employment opportunities and expanding assistance to returning migrants.
She also praised the Islamic Emirate’s efforts to address the challenges facing returning Afghan migrants, describing the management of their return as one of Afghanistan’s major challenges.
For his part, Hanafi said more than eight million Afghan migrants have returned to the country, adding that the Islamic Emirate would use all available resources to support them and address their needs.
He further called on relevant institutions to strengthen efforts to protect the rights of returnees, create employment opportunities and provide adequate shelter.
The meeting comes amid ongoing humanitarian and economic challenges in Afghanistan, with support for returning migrants and expanded international cooperation remaining key priorities.
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Unexploded ordnance contaminates 901 square kms of land in Afghanistan
Around 901 square kilometres of land across Afghanistan is contaminated with unexploded ordnance, posing a continuing threat to civilians, particularly children, Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority said.
Mohammad Yousuf Hammad, spokesperson for the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority, made the remarks in an interview with Afghanistan’s state-controlled national broadcaster.
Hammad said explosions involving landmines and unexploded remnants of war continue to kill and injure large numbers of Afghans every year.
He added that, with financial support from the United Nations Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan, more than 73,000 square metres of contaminated land had been cleared in Kunduz and Baghlan provinces by December 2025.
According to available figures, approximately 1,026 people were killed or injured in Afghanistan in landmine and unexploded ordnance explosions in 2021.
Decades of conflict have left large quantities of explosive remnants of war scattered across the country, creating persistent dangers for civilians.
Children remain particularly vulnerable, as unexploded devices can be mistaken for ordinary objects or encountered while playing and travelling through affected areas.
The reported contamination highlights the continuing need for mine-clearance operations, humanitarian assistance and public awareness programmes to protect communities and prevent further civilian casualties.
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