Executions of Afghan Nationals in Iran Raise Human Rights Concerns

Iran, with one of the highest execution rates globally, has recently implemented stricter measures against Afghan immigrants. After the conflict with Israel, the Iranian government has deported numerous Afghans. Hengaw, an Iranian human rights organization, reports that about ten Afghan nationals were executed in Iran during September. The organization’s report indicates that Iran executed at least 187 people in September, which is a concerning figure and represents a 140% increase in executions compared to the previous year. In September of the previous year, 78 prisoners were executed, making the current figures the highest in two decades. Hengaw also reported that roughly a thousand people were executed in Iran over the last nine months, and 65 of those were Afghan nationals. These statistics raise questions about the potential for unfair treatment of Afghans within the Iranian legal system. It’s alleged that the Iranian government is taking actions against Afghans and viewing them suspiciously, potentially hindering their ability to prove their innocence in court. Some sources suggest that Afghan immigrants are viewed with skepticism, and are sometimes viewed as opponents of the Shia government. Legal experts state that such sentencing by courts without considering fundamental rights violates both international law and the Iranian legal framework. The lack of legal representation to prove their innocence also is a concern with these cases.