Nimroz on the Frontline of the Fight against Human Trafficking; Local Government’s New Commitment to Contain Border Crisis

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - Kabul: The Ministry of Interior Affairs says that the Governor of Nimroz has emphasized the decisive prevention of human trafficking in the province in a joint meeting with security officials.

 

According to a press release from the Ministry of Interior Affairs’ press office, Sheikh Mohammad Qasim Khalid, the Governor of Nimroz, in this meeting, appreciated the efforts of the security forces and announced that as a result of cooperation between relevant departments and the implementation of the recent decree of the Islamic Emirate’s leadership, numerous cases of human trafficking have been identified and prevented on the routes leading to the Iranian border.

 

He added that the security forces are taking full responsibility for the smuggling gangs that exploit the poverty and helplessness of the people and will spare no effort to protect the human rights of the victims.

 

Due to its proximity to the Iranian border, Nimroz province has always been considered a sensitive route for human trafficking and illegal migration. Many poor families, hoping for a better life, fall victim to the deceptive promises of smuggling gangs; promises that often end in refugee camps or among death and disappearance in the border deserts.

 

According to a report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in 2023, more than 40,000 Afghan migrants illegally entered Iranian soil through the Nimroz route, a significant portion of whom were transferred through human trafficking gangs. Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch has warned of an increase in the trafficking of women and children.

 

Experts believe that combating human trafficking in border provinces such as Nimroz is not just a security measure; it is also a test of the level of responsibility of the local government, public awareness, and attention to the economic and social roots of this crisis. As long as unemployment, insecurity, and the lack of legal migration routes persist, trafficking gangs will continue to attract victims. Therefore, along with border surveillance, developing job opportunities, and cooperating with international institutions for the voluntary and dignified return of migrants can provide a more sustainable solution.

 

An important point that is less highlighted in the media is that the final destination of many victims of human trafficking is not only Iran; rather, the routes often lead to Turkey, European countries, and even in some cases to the United States or Latin America. This shows that trafficking networks are transnational and complex, and to effectively combat them, the need for regional and international cooperation is felt more seriously than ever.

 

In the meantime, raising public awareness and telling the bitter realities of those who have returned from these paths can serve as an effective tool in preventing others from falling into the trap of these dreaded gangs.