Iran has transferred 149 Afghan inmates to the Taliban to serve their sentences, amid reports of severe challenges faced by Afghan refugees in Iran. With worsening conditions for migrants, including denied access to healthcare and education, the situation remains critical. Reports of mistreatment and an increase in executions add to the urgency of addressing the rights of Afghan refugees.
On March 20, reports emerged indicating that Iran has forcibly transferred 149 Afghan inmates to the Taliban to serve their remaining sentences. This transfer was confirmed by Askar Jalalian, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Justice for Human Rights and International Affairs. The Taliban has not commented on these prisoners’ futures or their full sentences under their governance.
The number of Afghan prisoners in Iran remains ambiguous, but human rights organizations suggest a significant population exists. According to the Iran Human Rights Organization, 80 Afghan prisoners were executed in Iran within 2024; notably, this figure has tripled since the previous year.
Afghan refugees in Iran frequently report instances of mistreatment and the adversities they face due to government-imposed restrictions. Beginning March 21, 2025, undocumented Afghan migrants will reportedly be denied access to healthcare, education, and other essential services, as stated by Nader Yarahmadi from Iran’s Ministry of Interior.
Marofeh Eshaqi, an Afghan migrant, described the prevailing dire conditions for migrants in Iran, highlighting rampant anti-migrant sentiment leading to arrests of legal visa holders under tenuous pretenses. There have been several disturbing incidents involving harassment of Afghan refugees by Iranian police and citizens.
Fazl-ur-Rahman Oria, an Afghan political analyst, condemned the escalation of executions of Afghan nationals, stating that such actions violate international laws and are intolerable to the Afghan populace. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has emphasized that individuals fleeing conflict must not be expelled back to perilous environments.
Despite the ongoing complexities within Afghanistan, Iran continues to deport Afghan refugees, sometimes even those with valid documentation. These individuals face constant threats of illegal detention and harassment from Iranian authorities, exacerbating their plight as they flee conflict from their homeland.
In conclusion, the forcibly executed transfer of 149 Afghan inmates to the Taliban highlights serious concerns over human rights violations and the treatment of Afghan refugees in Iran. The situation is further complicated by increasing government restrictions that deny basic services to undocumented migrants. This ongoing conflict, alongside reported abuses and security threats faced by Afghan refugees, underscores the urgent need for international intervention to protect human rights and uphold humanitarian laws.
Original Source: www.socialnews.xyz
