Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Afghan Migration to Europe From Iran

Afghans have consistently been one of the largest groups refugees arriving in Europe, with more than 600,000 Afghan asylum applications European countries over past ten years, second only number to Syrians. migration Europe is a response both deteriorating security situation Afghanistan and protracted displacement hosting vast majority refugees, including Iran, where there well‐documented lack protection, rights, opportunities. Drawing on interviews undertaken Turkey Greece during last three months 2015, this article examines experiences who travelled from they had living for many some cases born. Their experiences, particularly when seen context mobility historically, complicate dichotomies between “forced” “voluntary” migration, “origin” “destination” countries, which underpin Common Asylum System. It clear that forms an important survival strategy others situations displacement, whom efforts provide durable solutions largely unsuccessful. Harnessing by facilitating supporting—rather preventing—onward key unlocking displacement.