E/CN.4/2005/85/Add.2 page 7 of the Cabinet of Ministers in 1981 guaranteed that Afghans would be able to follow postgraduate studies. He stated that the Afghans could no longer be considered refugees and therefore Iran alone could not bear the economic and social costs related to such a huge presence. Economically, in addition to providing free services to Afghans, Iran was also engaged in developing programmes in Afghanistan aimed at facilitating their return. Socially, he referred to the fact that a number of Afghans were involved in illegal activities such as drug smuggling and trafficking in persons which had an impact on national security. Accordingly, Iran was revising its own legislation to address these issues and enhance its cooperation with neighbouring and European countries. When asked to provide information on the situation of migrants in detention centres, the Director-General regretted that he had no information on that subject, which fell under the authority of the police department. 11. Other representatives from the Ministry of the Interior informed the Special Rapporteur that the police department was not under the authority of the Ministry or of the executive branch, but under the leadership of the Supreme Guide. The role of the police vis-à-vis migrants in Iran was explained: they controlled the entry to and exit from Iran of foreigners and the borders and were responsible for law enforcement within the country, and therefore also dealt with migrants in much the same way as with Iranian citizens. 12. Owing to its geographical location, a number of persons, mainly from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan, cross the border to try to settle irregularly in Iran or to transit irregularly through Iran, the main entry points being Baloushistan Province or the Oman sea for those wishing to go to neighbouring Arab States. If caught at the border, the irregular migrants are initially detained by the police in “special camps” or “closed camps” prior to being deported and handed over to the authorities of the country of origin. If caught within Iran, they are brought before a judge and might face a fine prior to being deported. According to Iranian authorities, UNHCR is allowed to meet with those persons at the border prior to their deportation. When asked by the Special Rapporteur whether those persons have access to lawyers, the representative from the Ministry of the Interior suggested that she discuss this issue with a representative from the judiciary. 13. The Special Rapporteur met with the Secretary-General of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, an Iranian institution established in 1996 with the aim of promoting and protecting human rights within the country. He informed the Special Rapporteur that the issue of migrant workers was not really discussed in Iranian society and very little information on the subject appeared in the media. This was partly due to the fact that there were a number of other human rights issues of concern to all Iranians. Nevertheless, he recalled the steps taken by the Iranian authorities to host Afghans and Iraqis when they had to leave their respective countries, and briefed the Special Rapporteur about the situation of Iranians living abroad. 14. The Adviser to the President on Women’s Affairs and Head of the Centre for Women’s Participation informed the Special Rapporteur about the steps taken in the legislative field to promote women’s rights since the Islamic revolution. She also briefed the Special Rapporteur on decisions taken by the authorities to enhance the representation of women in the administration,