Illegal Trips

Written by: Samira Haleemzai

Some citizens of the world travel from one country to another if needed. Most of them trip legally but some of them turn into high-risk illegal trips in violation of the country's laws, which, among other dangers, they face with death too.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some people about this issue.

Muhsin, a resident of Qarabgh district, Kabul province says, “Last year I, my cousin and some other boys decided to travel to Iran. As we did not have legal documents, we talked to the human smuggler. He promised to provide all the needs of the travel like food, water, resting place, and others. When we started our trip, there was no food and water nor a place for rest. We travel 6 days and 6 nights uninterrupted travel.

When we reached to border of Iran, they drove 30 passengers in a small vehicle. Finally, we reached a canal between Iran and Turkey; they ordered us to jump into the canal. The canal was about 10 meters deep.

When I jumped into it, I hurt my leg and an old woman broke his back. When she cried, the margraves heard her noise and they arrested me and some others. My cousin and some other travelers escaped on the vehicle but as the driver was driving very fast, the vehicle was crushed and my cousin lost his life.”

A man, a resident of Kapisa province says, “Once one of our villagers wanted to travel illegally. He went to Iran and when he intended to travel to Turkey, heavy snow and cold weather caused his death, and a month later his dead body was returned to his family.”

What do some people think about the causes of illegal trips?

Maiwand, a resident of Shakardara district, Kabul province says, “Most Afghans are faced economic problems. They do not have enough money to pay for the passport. They prefer to travel illegally.”

Muhsin says, “We are a big family and only my father has a job and his salary could not fulfill our home necessities so I decided to go abroad for working.”

The resident of Kapisa province says that the human smuggler tells lies to the travelers about the travel facilities.”

How do some people find a solution to this issue?

Qandagha, a resident of Shakardara district says, “Once I and some other youths of our village decided to travel to Iran for work. I prepared about 50 thousand Afghanis to pay the human smuggler. Before paying the amount, I changed my mind. I thought that if something happens to me along the way, my family would face big grief. So I rejected illegal trips and opened a small shop and now I can solve my economic problems.”

Waheedullah Karwan, a resident of Kunduz province says, “Once I had decided to travel abroad and when I was to leave my home for Iran, my father prevented me and he talked about the difficulties of illegal trips and I canceled the trip.