Afghans Say Turkish Police Beat Them Before Frostbite Cost Them Limbs
A group of Afghan migrants has accused Turkish border forces of beating, robbing, and abandoning them in freezing conditions near the Iran-Turkey border. They said they were among nearly 50 people detained in Turkey’s eastern Van province while attempting to reach Europe in January. They alleged that officers beat them with iron rods, confiscated their belongings, and forced them toward the Iranian border as temperatures fell to minus 15 degrees Celsius.
The migrants said the ordeal ended in tragedy. Eleven survivors later underwent amputations because of severe frostbite, while several interviewees said they witnessed at least 20 people freeze to death. The investigation has drawn global attention and renewed scrutiny of migrant treatment along one of the region’s busiest border crossings.
Migrants Describe Detention Before the Fatal Border Crossing
According to the migrants, Turkish authorities detained the group for several days in a warehouse under harsh conditions before moving them toward the Iranian border. They alleged that officers beat them with iron rods, forced them to carry wood and clear snow, and provided only dry bread and water once a day. The migrants also claimed officials took away their shoes, clothing, and personal belongings before sending them into the mountains during heavy snowfall.
The group said freezing temperatures and poor visibility quickly turned the journey into a life-threatening struggle. Survivor Shahsavar recalled watching his friend Ahmad die from the cold, while another boy, Danial, was later found dead in the snow. Eleven of the 12 survivors eventually lost limbs because of frostbite. Shahsavar underwent amputations of both hands and both legs, while 13-year-old Asim and several others also suffered life-changing injuries.
Rights Groups Renew Concerns Over Migrant Pushbacks
The allegations have renewed concerns about Turkey’s treatment of Afghan migrants attempting to cross from Iran into Europe. Human rights organizations say Turkish authorities have previously carried out illegal pushbacks and deportations without giving migrants a fair opportunity to seek international protection. In 2022, Human Rights Watch accused Turkey of returning Afghan migrants across the Iranian border without properly assessing their asylum claims. Rights advocates argue that such practices could place vulnerable migrants at greater risk and undermine international refugee protections.
The latest case has also intensified scrutiny of border enforcement in eastern Turkey. . However, the lawyer noted that previous cases involving alleged pushbacks and deaths or injuries linked to hypothermia had occurred in the region. As international attention continues to grow, rights groups have called for an independent investigation, greater transparency, and stronger accountability in border operations. They say ensuring migrant safety and protecting the right to seek asylum remain essential under international law.
Web Resources on Afghan migrants accuse Turkish forces of abuse
1. BBC.com : Turkish police beat us with iron rods before we lost limbs to frostbite, Afghans say.
2. Amnesty.org : Afghanistan, “They don’t treat us like humans” Unlawful returns of Afghans from Turkey and Iran.
3. Turkish Minute.com : Afghan migrants say Turkish border forces beat, robbed, abandoned them in snowstorm.
4. Afghanistan Analysts.org : ‘We were beaten, robbed, and left in a snowstorm’, Afghan migrants allege mistreatment at Turkish border.