-
Iran alone cannot help new Iraqi refugees, Khatami tells Lubbers
5 Mar 2003 Iranian President Mohammad Khatami has assured UNHCR chief Ruud Lubbers that his country will stand by its humanitarian obligations, but will need help to deal with a possible influx of Iraqi refugees. -
Fresh start for refugees in Iran
4 Mar 2003 In 1999, UNHCR Iran began its resettlement programme for refugees with a well-founded fear of returning to their country of origin. Since then, almost 4,000 Afghans and Iraqis have been accepted by third countries for resettlement based on various criteria. In Iran, the resettlement unit has been prioritising women-at-risk cases. -
Feature: Young refugees in Iran get on the road to recovery
17 Feb 2003 In Iran, cancer-stricken refugee children and their parents have been seeking help through a UNHCR-sponsored programme run by a local non-governmental organisation. And in doing so, many have found comfort and hope in the midst of despair. -
Feature: Young Afghans in Iran read into the future
9 Jan 2003 After years of conflict and turmoil, Afghanistan is slowly rebuilding itself. One of the main sectors in need is the education system - the country's illiteracy rate is among the highest in the world. But next door in Iran, educated young Afghan refugees are hoping they can make a difference. -
Feature: Home to face a brave new world
20 Nov 2002 Afghan returnees from Iran are going home to many uncertainties. Some arrive back in Afghanistan with little to their names, and must start their lives from scratch. But almost all say they are happy to find peace and freedom in their homeland. -
Feature: "God Bless Our Homeland"
4 Sep 2002 As peace and stability slowly return to Afghanistan, the desire to go home among many of its exiled people in neighbouring Iran is strong. So, too, is the pressure to leave. But many have spent half, most, even all of their lives here. They need time to prepare - practically and psychologically - for the long journey home. -
Afghan returns from Iran on upswing as Pakistan's numbers wane
20 Aug 2002 Afghan returns from Iran have intensified in the last month, partly due to Iran's media efforts to encourage people to go home before winter. Meanwhile, the pace of returns from Pakistan has been slowing down. -
Iran grants UNHCR access to detained Afghans and right to review asylum claims
9 Aug 2002 New agreement between Iranian government and UNHCR offers a second chance to Afghan detainees, and comes days before deadline for undocumented Afghans in Iran to register with local authorities and get exit permits to leave the country. -
First Iranian refugees in Iraq go home under UNHCR auspices
16 Jul 2002 First convoy brings 125 Iranians home from Iraq; some 8,000 more keen to follow pending approval from Iranian government.