Iran Implements Biometric Surveillance System to Track Afghan Migrants

Iranian authorities have implemented comprehensive biometric testing measures to identify unauthorized foreign nationals, with a particular focus on Afghan migrants. The new system uses fingerprint and iris scanning technology at border checkpoints and other locations to verify identities and prevent unauthorized entry. This initiative builds upon Iran’s existing digital identity infrastructure, which has been expanding since 2019 with the integration of multimodal biometric capabilities.

The initiative coincides with expanded restrictions on foreign nationals in Iran, particularly affecting Afghan citizens. Mazandaran province has been designated as a restricted area where Afghan nationals are prohibited from residing or working, even temporarily. This policy stems from resolutions by Iran’s National Security Council that have divided Iranian provinces into permitted and restricted zones for Afghan nationals.

Iranian officials cite multiple factors driving these enhanced measures, including security concerns related to individuals with unclear identities and claims of stretched resources for hosting migrants. The country has also begun constructing border walls to control unauthorized entry of Afghan citizens. The new biometric system follows similar implementations in neighboring countries, including Pakistan’s national biometric register, which has been used for population management and security purposes.

The biometric identification program operates within Iran’s broader surveillance infrastructure, which includes facial recognition systems used for various enforcement purposes. Under recent legislation, both fixed and mobile camera systems are being deployed to identify individuals, with private sector entities required to share surveillance footage with police authorities.

The policies have created new challenges for Afghan migrants in Iran, including limited access to employment and housing in certain regions, increased risk of deportation from restricted areas, and more frequent identity verification checks.

Iran currently hosts the largest population of Afghan migrants globally, according to United Nations data. Human rights organizations have documented concerns regarding the treatment and legal status of Afghan migrants within the country. The implementation of biometric surveillance has raised additional privacy and human rights concerns, particularly regarding data protection and the potential for discriminatory enforcement.

Sources: IRNA

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December 16, 2024 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team