Iran Transfers Afghan Inmates to Taliban Amid Refugee Crisis

Iran has forcibly transferred 149 Afghan inmates to the Taliban to serve their sentences. This move comes amid escalating challenges faced by Afghan refugees, who report mistreatment and impending loss of essential services starting March 21, 2025. Reports indicate a rise in executions and a significant anti-migrant sentiment in Iran, posing severe risks to Afghan nationals.

Iran recently transferred 149 Afghan prisoners to the Taliban for the continuation of their sentences, according to reports from Afghan media outlets. Askar Jalalian, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Justice for Human Rights and International Affairs, confirmed this development, though the Taliban has not provided statements regarding the treatment or fate of these individuals.

The total number of Afghan prisoners currently held in Iran remains uncertain; however, human rights organizations estimate that many Afghans are imprisoned across the country. A report from the Iran Human Rights Organization revealed a significant increase in executions, noting that 80 Afghan prisoners were executed in 2024, a number that has tripled compared to 2023.

Afghan refugees in Iran face serious challenges, including reported instances of mistreatment by authorities. Nader Yarahmadi, the director general of the Bureau for Foreign Nationals and Immigrants Affairs, announced that starting March 21, 2025, undocumented Afghan migrants would lose access to healthcare, education, and other essential services. Marofeh Eshaqi, an Afghan migrant, described the increasing anti-migrant sentiment and described police harassment and arrests of even those with valid documentation.

Reports have emerged documenting harassment and abuse of Afghan refugees by Iranian police and citizens. Videos showcasing such treatment have circulated on social media, revealing harsh realities faced by Afghan migrants. These individuals are also struggling under severe restrictions that jeopardize their ability to secure stable employment.

Fazl-ur-Rahman Oria, an Afghan political analyst, condemned the rise in executions of Afghans, labeling this surge as intolerable and a violation of international standards. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees notes that refugees must not be deported to conditions that threaten their safety, yet Iran continues to repatriate Afghan refugees amid ongoing uncertainty in Afghanistan, despite the migrants possessing legal documentation.

Afghans, fleeing conflict and war, have sought refuge in Iran for decades but now face deportation, detention, and widespread abuse by Iranian authorities.

In summary, the Iranian government’s forcible transfer of Afghan inmates to the Taliban exemplifies the severe challenges faced by Afghan refugees in Iran. Reports of legal abuses, increased executions, and a deterioration of rights for migrants highlight the dire situation. The Iranian administration’s restrictive measures against Afghan individuals, despite their documentation, raise serious concerns regarding human rights and adherence to international norms, further complicating the plight of these refugees seeking safety.

Original Source: www.socialnews.xyz