In 2024, Iran has carried out over 70 executions of Afghan nationals, marking a staggering nearly 300 percent increase compared to 2023, as reported by the Iran Human Rights Organization. Most of these executions stem from drug-related offenses, predominantly taking place at Qezel Hesar Central Prison. This surge parallels the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, coinciding with a rise in the annual executions of Afghan citizens, which totaled 72 within just 11 months of 2024.
The grim statistics detail a series of executions occurring in various prisons across Iran, such as Mashhad, Isfahan, and Shiraz, among others. Notably, Afghan women and children have also been included in these harrowing statistics. Iranian officials highlight that Afghan nationals make up 95 percent of foreign inmates within their prisons, primarily charged with drug trafficking and illegal border crossings. A report from the Taliban indicated that 5,000 to 6,000 Afghans remain imprisoned in Iran.
Afghan migrants voice their frustrations regarding the Taliban’s apparent lack of advocacy for their rights, stressing that many Afghans in Iranian prisons are denied access to legal representation, escalating their vulnerability to severe sentences, including execution. “Most Afghan prisoners in Iran have no one outside the prison to follow up on their cases or secure legal counsel,” an Afghan migrant confided, emphasizing the dire predicament facing prisoners.
Life as an Afghan migrant in Iran is fraught with challenges, marked by appalling living conditions and routine deportations. “The situation for Afghan migrants in Iran is terrible,” expressed Rana Khaleqi, an Afghan refugee. The harsh reality is that even those possessing appropriate documentation are not safe from deportation, often returning to Afghanistan under perilous circumstances.
Legal experts attribute the rising execution rates to the absence of a credible government in Afghanistan, suggesting that Iran is capitalizing on this political vacuum to increase punitive measures against Afghan citizens. The absence of representation leaves many Afghans exposed to arbitrary executions. This troubling trend unfolds amid worsening relations between Iran and Afghanistan, prompting human rights advocates to push for accountability and protection for Afghan migrants and prisoners alike.
Iran has executed over 70 Afghan citizens in 2024, a rise attributed to drug offenses and a reaction to the Taliban’s return to power. These executions primarily occur in Qezel Hesar Central Prison and reflect the deteriorating conditions for Afghan nationals. Many lack legal representation, complicating their plight in Iranian prisons. The executions exacerbate tensions between Iran and Afghanistan amidst ongoing human rights concerns.
In summary, the troubling escalation of executions among Afghan nationals in Iran underscores a dire situation marked by legal deficiencies and human rights violations. With political instability in Afghanistan leading to heightened repressive measures by Iran, Afghan migrants find themselves trapped in a cycle of vulnerability and mistreatment. Urgent advocacy from both the Taliban and international organizations is crucial to address and rectify the harsh realities faced by these individuals.
The increase in executions is set against a backdrop of Afghanistan’s political turmoil following the Taliban’s return to power. Within Iran, Afghan nationals represent a substantial portion of foreign prisoners, often facing harsh penalties for drug-related offenses amid a legal system that many claim is lacking in transparency and fairness. The broader context includes ongoing criticism of the Taliban’s inability to advocate effectively for Afghan nationals abroad, particularly the vulnerable migrants facing dire circumstances in Iran.
Original Source: amu.tv
