In a report, the International Relations Committee of the House of Representatives summoned officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Immigration and criticized them of incompetence and neglect for not addressing the mistreatment and drowning of Afghan immigrants in Iran.

According to the committee report, of the migrants who were thrown into the river by Iranian border guards in early May, 13 have disappeared, the bodies of 18 have been found and 19 were rescued.

“They [the Ministry of Foreign Affairs] have not done their job well and have failed to defend the rights of Afghan citizens," said Abdul Satar Hussaini, a member of the committee.

According to the committee report, the Iranian government must pay compensation to the families of the victims and punish the perpetrators.

“Compensation must be paid and apologies made to the people of Afghanistan, based on all humanitarian values.” said Gul Ahmad Kamin, another member of the committee.

The administrative board of the House of Representatives also wants the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Refugees to be held accountable.

“The committee heads will decide on summoning foreign ministry officials,” said Abbas Ibrahimzada, house second deputy speaker.

On the other hand, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission calls on the government to fulfil the rights of the victims.

“We hope that fundamental, fruitful and tangible steps will be taken in this regard, and justice will befall the perpetrators of these human rights violations,” stated Zabihullah Farhang, head of the media office of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission.

However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denies any neglect in the investigation of incidents in Iran and says that soon, the acting minister Haneef Atmar will go to Tehran.

“Regarding the recent incidents on the border of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the citizens of Afghanistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan has taken serious, diplomatic and practical measures in the field since the first day,” said Gran Hewad, a ministry spokesman.

Iran has previously denied any involvement of its border guards in abusing and drowning Afghan refugees