OVERVIEW
Millions of Afghans have sought refuge in neighboring countries due to decades of conflict and instability. Among them is Ezatullah Bakhtiyar, a 27-year-old Afghan from Deh-e-Mahil Dasht village in Guzara District, Herat Province. His family fled Afghanistan more than 45 years ago amid widespread violence and settled in Iran, where Ezatullah was born and raised. Despite temporary safety, life as refugees remained uncertain. The family faced legal and social restrictions that limited their access to education, employment, and basic services. On 24 July 2025, Ezatullah returned to Afghanistan with his parents, wife, sisters, and brothers. However, reintegration proved difficult due to the lack of Afghan National ID Cards (Tazkira), which prevented them from renting housing, registering SIM cards, or enrolling younger siblings in school.
UNHCR CIVIL DOCUMENTS PROGRAMME – HERAT PROVINCE
As part of UNHCR’s Civil Documentation and Legal Assistance Project, implemented by its partner ARAA, Ezatullah and his family were introduced to legal support services through the referral mechanism. The programme aims to address one of the most critical barriers to reintegration for returnee families: the absence of legal identity. Without valid documentation, individuals cannot access essential services, exercise their rights, or participate fully in society.
In Guzara District, ARAA’s legal team conducted awareness sessions to educate returnees about the importance of civil documentation. Ezatullah attended these sessions and received personalized legal counselling. The team explained the role of the Civil Registration Authority, and the legal implications of not having identity documents.
With legal guidance and financial support from UNHCR, Ezatullah and eight members of his family successfully obtained electronic Tazkiras. This milestone was more than a bureaucratic achievement—it was a gateway to dignity, recognition, and access to rights. The family could now rent a house legally, register SIM cards for communication, and enroll the younger siblings in school. For Ezatullah, watching his brothers and sisters walk into a classroom for the first time was a moment of pride and relief, symbolizing the beginning of a hopeful new chapter.
APPROACH
ARAA’s legal team provided tailored support to Ezatullah’s family through the Civil Documents Programme:
- Delivered legal awareness sessions and one-on-one counselling on civil documentation.
- Helped and guided the family for Afghan National ID Cards.
- Facilitated coordination with the Civil Registration Authority to ensure timely issuance.
- Enabled access to housing, education, and communication services through legal identity.
All steps were supported by UNHCR’s financial assistance and ARAA’s operational facilitation.
CONCLUSION
Obtaining legal identity documents marked a turning point for Ezatullah’s family. They are no longer invisible in the eyes of the state but recognized as Afghan citizens with rights and access to essential services. Beyond the immediate benefits, the ID cards have given the family a sense of security and the confidence to rebuild their lives. This story demonstrates how UNHCR’s Civil Documentation and Legal Assistance Project, implemented by ARAA, transforms lives by restoring legal identity, enabling reintegration, and laying the foundation for a stable and hopeful future.
Prepared by:
Mohammad Mahdi Howaida
Lawyer at ARAA
