Afghan Migrants Face Extreme Risks in Desperate Journey to Europe
The perilous journey of Afghan migrants seeking safety and opportunity has become increasingly dangerous, with migrants facing life-threatening challenges at every border crossing. The story of Azaan, a former Afghan army officer, illustrates the extreme risks migrants are willing to take to escape their war-torn homeland.
The journey typically begins with crossing the heavily guarded Iran-Turkey border, which features a 300km wall designed to prevent illegal crossings. Migrants like Azaan must jump from 20-foot heights into trenches, often sustaining serious injuries. During his attempts, Azaan broke his arm and was repeatedly deported, spending thousands of dollars on smugglers who provide minimal support.
The situation in Afghanistan has become increasingly desperate since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. The UN reports that a third of the country’s population faces food insecurity, and the Taliban has imposed brutal restrictions, particularly on women’s rights. Many, like Azaan, fear for their lives and futures, with no work opportunities and limited hope.
Migrants face extreme dangers from border authorities. Iranian police have been accused of shooting at Afghan migrants, with a smuggler reporting that many are killed while attempting to cross. Turkish border forces are equally harsh, reportedly catching 100-150 migrants nightly and physically abusing them.
The journey continues through multiple countries, with migrants passed between smugglers and facing constant threats. One tragic example is Javid, a former soldier who died of hypothermia while attempting to cross to Greece with his pregnant wife. His father blames foreign countries that abandoned Afghans after years of military cooperation.
The routes are treacherous: from Iran to Tehran, then to Turkey’s border regions, followed by a dangerous sea crossing to Greece. Migrants like Shahida, a former parliamentary worker, describe horrific experiences crossing the English Channel in overcrowded dinghies, facing potential death at every moment.
The UK has two resettlement schemes for Afghans, but progress has been extremely slow. Many who worked with British forces or supported democratic values find themselves unable to secure legal migration routes. As a result, many resort to dangerous illegal crossings.
According to the UN, Afghans are among the top asylum seekers globally. In the UK, they represent the second-largest group arriving in small boats, each journey fraught with potentially fatal risks.
For many like Azaan, the choice is stark: remain in a country where they face persecution and poverty, or risk everything for a chance at safety. As Azaan puts it, “This is the only purpose of my life now, to get myself to a safer place.”
The article highlights the desperate circumstances driving Afghan migrants and the extraordinary risks they are willing to take to escape their current reality.
