Iran Transfers 149 Afghan Inmates to Taliban Amid Refugee Hardships
Iran has transferred 149 Afghan inmates to the Taliban amidst challenges faced by refugees in the country. The Taliban has not commented on the fate of these prisoners. Afghan refugees in Iran report mistreatment and impending loss of essential services. Executions of Afghan prisoners have risen sharply, raising serious human rights concerns, as many face deportation despite holding valid documents.
Recent reports from media sources indicate that Iran has forcibly transferred 149 Afghan inmates to the Taliban, a move that occurs amidst significant challenges faced by Afghan refugees in Iran. Askar Jalalian, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Justice for Human Rights and International Affairs, confirmed this transfer, stating that these prisoners would serve the rest of their sentences under Taliban rule.
The fate of these prisoners remains uncertain as the Taliban has not provided any public statements regarding their treatment or the duration of their sentences. Estimates of Afghan prisoners in Iran vary, with human rights organizations highlighting a considerable number of these individuals imprisoned in the country. Additionally, the report from the Iran Human Rights Organization revealed a troubling increase in the executions of Afghan prisoners, with 80 recorded in 2024, a figure that has tripled since the previous year.
Afghan refugees in Iran continue to face severe hardships, including reported mistreatment and various restrictions imposed by the Iranian government. Nader Yarahmadi, the director general of the Bureau for Foreign Nationals and Immigrants Affairs, indicated that undocumented Afghan migrants would lose access to essential services like healthcare and education starting March 21, 2025. Marofeh Eshaqi, an Afghan migrant, described the worsening conditions, citing increased anti-migrant sentiment that leads to the arbitrary arrest and deportation of Afghans, even those possessing valid documentation.
Accounts of harassment and abuse of Afghan refugees by Iranian authorities are perpetuating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity. Reports last year documented multiple incidents of abuse, with videos circulating online showcasing anti-Afghan slogans being shouted at migrants. Additionally, the Iranian government has enacted strict policies that hinder Afghan refugees from achieving stable employment, exacerbating their struggles.
Afghan political analyst Fazl-ur-Rahman Oria condemned the rise in executions and the treatment of Afghan nationals, asserting that it violates both national and international standards. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees recognizes that refugees, defined as individuals fleeing conflict or persecution, are entitled to protection under international law, which prohibits their expulsion to regions where their lives may be compromised. Nevertheless, Iran’s ongoing deportation practices signify a troubling disregard for these principles.
Ultimately, despite decades of seeking refuge in Iran from conflict in their homeland, many Afghan migrants face growing risks of illegal detention and deportation, compounded by the harassment they frequently endure from Iranian authorities.
In conclusion, the forced transfer of 149 Afghan prisoners to the Taliban by Iran raises significant humanitarian concerns amidst ongoing challenges faced by Afghan refugees in the country. This situation highlights the severe restrictions and mistreatment of Afghan nationals, as well as the increasing number of executions among the imprisoned population. With impending loss of essential services for undocumented migrants and a troubling trend of deportations, the plight of Afghan refugees in Iran remains dire. The international community must address these issues to ensure the protection of refugees and uphold human rights standards.
Original Source: www.socialnews.xyz
