International Border Governance and Counter-Trafficking

As the leading international organization in the field of migration, IOM provides guidelines and technical advice to governments to improve their migration and border management.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has international land and maritime borders with 13 sovereign countries along its 5,894 km land border and 2,440 km coastline. Being situated between major migrant-sending countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Türkiye means that many people move through the Iranian borders daily.   

Over the past few decades, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has been facing difficult challenges in finding a balance between competing priorities related to national migration policy, particularly where mobility and security interests intersect. On the one hand, migration can offer great potential to promote economic growth and social development, through the skills, dynamism, and innovation that migrants bring. On the other hand, the Government also has a legitimate interest in safeguarding national security and combatting transnational crimes such as the trafficking of human beings, and the smuggling of migrants.  

The Islamic Republic of Iran is also grappling with a multitude of challenges that stem from the impact of the crisis in Afghanistan, including a protracted situation of instability along its borders.  

IOM Iran supports the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran in strengthening the operational systems and administrative and technical structures related to border governance. It also provides assistance to meet the human resource base necessary to respond effectively to diverse migration and border management challenges. Moreover, the IBG/CT supports Iranian institutions in combating trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants through a range of activities and initiatives, including the provision of equipment and capacity building.

Objectives

The nature of cross-border movements in Iran encompasses a diverse range of migration drivers, as well as various push and pull factors. Addressing these issues requires a coordinated, system-wide, and multisectoral intervention.

IOM Iran aims to mitigate the challenges which stem from such mixed migration flows and ensure humane treatment and protection to vulnerable individuals.  

To reach this goal, the unit is bringing forward capacity-building initiatives, investments in infrastructure and technology, and the provision of immediate assistance to contain and mitigate the current emergency while preventing further escalations.

Areas of Intervention

1. Capacity building initiatives

   IOM Iran aims to improve border management capacities through training, technical assistance, and infrastructure support. This component will empower border control agencies to manage migration, including return flows, securely and humanely.

   A high-level workshop was co-organized by the Ministry of Interior and IOM Iran in Mashhad in May 2023, bringing together top-profile officials from Iranian authorities and active entities in the fields of border management and counter-trafficking. During the workshop, participants had the opportunity to address the gaps and challenges to fight against trafficking in persons, such as the importance of inter-agency and international coordination, capacity building and exchange of best practices.

2. Strengthening border crossing point infrastructures

   IOM Iran aims to facilitate the acquisition of modern technology required for effective border management, such as biometric systems. It also works to improve physical infrastructures at border crossings to combine stringent border controls with practices catering to vulnerable cases.