The Director General of Foreign Nationals and Refugees Affairs of the Khorasan Razavi Governorate, on the sidelines of the visit of the Herat Governor and his accompanying delegation to the Safid Sang camp, emphasized that the return of Afghan refugees from Iran should be a “model of dignity and respect.” Referring to the significant increase in the number of refugees returning, Jafar Sayedabadi said: “To date, about 685 thousand Afghan refugees have left the Dogharun border and this process is still ongoing.”

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - from the Safid Sang camp: Jafar Sayedabadi, Director General of Foreign Nationals and Refugees Affairs of the Khorasan Razavi Governorate, on the sidelines of the visit of the Governor of Herat and the accompanying delegation to the Safid Sang camp in Fariman County, in an interview with reporters, welcoming the Afghan delegation said: "Given the widespread welcome of Afghan refugees to return to their country and also the implementation of the plan to determine the duties of census card holders, we witnessed that a large number of Afghan citizens voluntarily and spontaneously visited the camp. We in the province, with the governor's emphasis and by mobilizing all service agencies, cultural organizations and jihadi groups, tried to ensure a dignified departure for these loved ones."

Departure with dignity and respect
Seyedabadi emphasized the respect for Afghan refugees in the return process and added: "We believe that these dear ones, as human beings who lived in our country for years and were by our side, should be seen off with respect and dignity. Just as we proudly hosted them for years, today, when they are supposed to return to build their own country, their departure should also be with dignity. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the authorities of Khorasan Razavi have strived to ensure that the conditions for the return of refugees are such that they leave a model of respect and dignity in the country."

Significant increase in return statistics
The Director General of Khorasan Razavi Nationals Affairs, referring to the intensification of the return process of refugees in recent months, stated: "As of yesterday, about 685,000 Afghan refugees have left the Dogharoon border. This figure includes 75 percent of the country's total exits and by the end of July is equal to the total exit statistics for 1403. We predict that this figure will exceed one million.”
He also added: “This increase in returns is due to both the welcome of the migrants and the implementation of the assignment programs, and we have been able to provide them with a respectful exit even with this high volume.”

Extension of the return deadline
Regarding the extension of the return deadline for migrants with census forms until September, Jafar Seyedabadi also said: “The previous deadline, which was set for July 15, was extended as an opportunity for those who have not yet managed to leave. The Foreign Nationals Service and Employment Offices have provided facilities so that these people can leave the country in a suitable schedule. Our advice to migrants is to use this opportunity and take the necessary steps to return as soon as possible.”

Afghan delegation appreciates Iran's hosting and emphasizes solving problems
During this visit, Mohammad Ismail Salim, head of the Islamic Emirate's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Herat province, also expressed his appreciation for the Islamic Republic of Iran's 46-year hosting of Afghan refugees, saying: "We do not ignore Iran's services and hosting and are grateful, but we expect the same respectful treatment to continue in the process of returning refugees, that their human rights be respected, and that the refugees be returned to the country with dignity."
He assessed the situation of the Safid Sang camp as "relatively good" and added: "We have received reports of problems in the process of returning refugees, which we hope to find appropriate solutions for in a meeting with Iranian officials."

In addition to participating in the sixth meeting of the Joint Economic Committee of Herat Province and Khorasan Razavi Province, the Herat governor's delegation is scheduled to visit other refugee camps in the province and discuss improving the process of returning refugees and resolving existing problems in a meeting with Iranian officials.