Iranian Courts Under Scrutiny: Unfair Trials and Executions of Afghan Nationals

Iran is among the countries with the highest number of executions. In recent months, Iran’s legal system has become notably stricter towards Afghan immigrants. Following the war with Israel, the Iranian government has sent millions of Afghans back to Afghanistan. Hengaw, an Iranian human rights organization, reported that in September, Iran executed approximately ten Afghan nationals. The report stated that at least 187 people were executed in Iran in September, an alarming figure marking a 140% increase in executions compared to the previous year. Last year, 78 prisoners were executed in September, making this year’s count the highest in two decades. Hengaw’s earlier reports revealed that, over the past nine months, about a thousand people have been executed in Iran, with 65 of them being Afghan citizens. This data indicates a trend, suggesting either unfair treatment or a bias against Afghans in the Iranian legal system, potentially hindering their ability to prove their innocence. Some reports indicate that Afghan immigrants are viewed with suspicion, which might be linked to the Sunni majority in Afghanistan and the Taliban’s image as a strict Sunni government. Legal experts suggest that such actions violate international and Iranian legal frameworks as fundamental rights are not considered in the court’s decisions. Concerns exist that those accused in Iran do not have access to legal counsel to prove their innocence, which contributes to unfair judgments.