In brief
In January, around 50 Afghan migrants attempted to cross from Turkey into Iran via Van. Turkish border guards allegedly beat, stripped, and held them for days under sub‑zero temperatures, forcing them to work in the cold. Testimonies describe iron‑rod beatings and torture before they were pushed onto the road and left in a warehouse. Several survived with severe frostbite; eleven of the twelve survivors lost limbs. Turkish officials deny the allegations, saying they met legal obligations, while the migrants were eventually repatriated to Afghanistan for hospital treatment.
In January, about 50 Afghan migrants attempted to cross from Turkey into Iran via Van. Turkish border guards allegedly detained, beat, and stripped the men and boys—most under 25—intensely. Testimonies describe iron‑rod beatings, forced crawling with hands tied, and hard labour under sub‑zero temperatures.
The migrants were kept for days in a warehouse where only water and dry bread were provided while snow kept falling. They were then pushed onto a road under a heavy storm, with Turkish guards reportedly letting them cross into Iranian territory, before being returned to Afghanistan.
Eleven of the twelve men who spoke to the BBC lost limbs, with severe frostbite forcing amputations in Kabul hospitals. One survivor, Shahsawar, 21, recounted waking in a hospital with his hands and legs amputated.
Turkish officials denied the allegations, maintaining that migrants were treated in accordance with national and international laws and were offered necessary aid during detention. However, human‑rights experts and activist reports highlight a pattern of abuse and dangerous crossing routes for Afghans since 2021.
The Afghan embassy in Tehran has taken urgent steps to identify and assist stranded migrants on the Turkey‑Iran border, most of whom were transported to Herat Province and then to Kabul for further medical treatment.
The incident underscores the vulnerability of migrants navigating the precarious Turkey‑Iran border, where harsh climates and aggressive enforcement can lead to fatal outcomes.
