Executions of Afghans in Iran Raise Fresh Human Rights Concerns

The execution of five prisoners, including an Afghan national, in Iran has once again raised concerns among human rights organizations about the poor treatment of Afghan migrants within Iran’s judicial system.

The Iran Human Rights Organization said the Afghan national was Ahmad Farhad Haidari, a resident of Herat province, who was executed at Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj on charges of “intentional murder.”

Political analyst Hemayatullah Ahmadi said: “Afghanistan’s political missions should work to prevent the execution of Afghan citizens in other countries. Under international law, particularly the laws of the host country, an accused person must be granted the right to a defense lawyer, an interpreter, and the ability to contact their country’s consulate or embassy, and must also be fully informed of the charges against them.”

Some legal experts believe that many Afghans in Iran face serious difficulties due to the lack of residency documents, poverty, limited awareness of their legal rights, and lack of access to defense lawyers.

They say these factors place Afghans at a higher risk of violations of their fundamental rights during arrest, interrogation, and trial compared to others.

Legal expert Majid Kohistani told: “Many Afghans in Iran are tried without access to a defense lawyer and are sentenced to death.”

Political analyst Maiwand Jorat said: “Over the past year, Iran has sentenced a large number of Afghans to execution. While every country has its own laws, international law guarantees the accused the right to a defense lawyer, an interpreter, and other legal protections so they can defend themselves.”

Previously, the Hengaw Human Rights Organization reported that at least 85 Afghan nationals were executed in Iran during the 2025 calendar year alone.