Iran hosts the second largest number of Aghan refugees in the world after Pakistan, with about 1.4 million documented immigrants, including almost 830,000 refugees who fled conflict at home.<br /><br />Many of the immigrants have no option other than engaging in labour work, including construction jobs, to survive and support their families back home.<br /><br />Despite living in the country for years, a significant number of Afghans complain of discrimination by their hosts, saying they have been denied refugee status and given temporary work visas.<br /><br />The Iranian government has already forced many to return to Afghanistan.<br /><br />However, representatives of the UN in Iran have said that it is unfair to criticise Tehran because it is treating the refugees better than most countries have.<br /><br />Speaking to Al Jazeera, Bernard Doyle of the UN refugee agency in Iran, said: "Iran is an example.<br /><br />"It does a lot of work in the country also the level of education Iran provides to them here is invaluable, it means this country is providing a very high level of education to Afghani people." <br /><br />Al Jazeera's Soraya Lennie reports from Tehran.
