Surge in Executions of Afghans in Iran Since Taliban’s Return to Power, Says Rights Group
The Iran Human Rights organisation has reported a significant rise in the executions of Afghans in Iran since the Taliban regained power, with 90 Afghans executed in the country since 2022.
The organisation noted that, in the past month alone, 13 Afghans were executed in Iran on various charges.
Statistics from the organisation indicate that 49 Afghan citizens have been executed in Iranian prisons this year.
The Taliban has yet to respond to the reported executions of Afghan citizens in Iran.
On Saturday, Iran Human Rights released its monthly report, warning of a surge in executions by the Islamic Republic amid escalating tensions with Israel.
The organisation disclosed that in October alone, the Islamic Republic executed 166 individuals, including 13 Afghans, across various charges. This represents the highest monthly execution count since 2007.
The report stated, “Following the presidential election and the onset of new tensions between Iran and Israel, the pace of executions has intensified.”
According to the report, since President Masoud Pezeshkian’s term began, at least 353 people have been executed in Iranian prisons over August, September, and October.
In October alone, executions included 13 Afghans, six women, 11 Baloch, nine Kurds, and one Iranian-German citizen.
The report detailed that, during this period, 80 individuals were executed for “premeditated murder,” 64 for drug offences, 12 for “enmity against God” or armed rebellion, and 10 for rape.
The report further highlighted an increase in executions of Afghan citizens in Iran following the Taliban’s rise to power. It recorded 16 Afghan executions in 2022, 25 in 2023, and at least 49 this year.
The organisation also reported that one prisoner with mental health issues, who had a history of hospitalisation, was executed in October, with two other individuals executed publicly.
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, Director of Iran Human Rights, urged, “The international community and countries with diplomatic ties to Iran must take this warning seriously and respond firmly to prevent larger-scale atrocities by the Islamic Republic.”
The organisation noted that, of the 166 executions carried out last month, only 20 were reported by Iranian media.
