Iran Press/ America: The first International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 17-20 May 2022.
In a statement, Iran's diplomat stressed the need to enhance international cooperation in immigration.
The full text of Ali Hajilari's statement is as follows:
The fact is some countries that have not experienced any war, sanctions, or conflicts, complain about the presence of a few thousands of displaced persons, refugees, and migrants forced me to tell you a little bit about the situation in Iran as the host of more than 4 million refugees and migrants population.
Iran hosts more than 4 million refugees and migrants
All of you know that my country has suffered from a devastating 8-year imposed war ... Iran has also suffered and still is suffering from different hostilities, including illegal unilateral coercive measures and sanctions for more than four decades, and at the same time is hosting more than 4 million refugees, migrants, displaced persons as well as illegal and undocumented aliens.
We heard from different delegations about the negative impacts of wars and conflicts on the refugee crisis and migratory flows. We fully understand because we have been experiencing the same for more than four decades without international support and under grave situations caused by war and unilateral measures, economic blockade, and illegal unilateral sanctions.
Two days ago in Tehran, the UN special rapporteur reiterated that half a million Afghan children lived in Iran during her visit to my country. UN agencies can not fulfill their commitments toward these vulnerable people due to illegal unilateral measures and sanctions.
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My country has generously hosted millions of refugees, displaced persons, migrants, and aliens, documented or undocumented, without international support and simultaneous with the harshest unilateral sanctions ever imposed on a country.
Recent challenges of new displaced Afghans
With the recent challenges and situations in Afghanistan, we face a new wave of displaced persons. But it seems that some countries addicted to the double-standard approach, which is not a unique experience in Iran, have forgotten this reality and turned a blind eye to that.
Having said that, I would like to remind you that as responsible members of the International community, you are accountable for taking effective capacity-building measures and sharing this heavy burden left on the shoulders of my country.
If Iran had not hosted this vast population, you certainly faced them within your borders and wouldn't know what to do with them.
So the least you can do even for them is to effectively eliminate illegal sanctions on a country generously hosting millions of refugees, migrants, and displaced persons for more than four decades and providing them - irrespective of their legal status-with the same services provided for its citizens.
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