The Iranian government executed an Afghan national in Mashhad prison, a move condemned by human rights organizations for its lack of transparency and alleged targeting of vulnerable populations.
Abdul Rahman Ishaqzai, 57, was executed last Sunday without notice to his family, according to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights group. Ishaqzai had been convicted on drug-related charges and sentenced to death by the Iranian judiciary.
Rights advocates say his execution underscores a troubling pattern. Iran has significantly increased executions of Afghan nationals in recent years, they assert, with the pace accelerating in 2023. So far this year, at least 73 Afghans have been executed, according to various human rights organizations, making Iran the leading country for such executions.
“This systematic targeting of Afghan migrants reflects a broader disregard for international human rights standards,” Hengaw, a rights monitoring group, said in a statement. Critics argue that Iran’s use of the death penalty disproportionately affects marginalized groups, including migrants, and violates international norms.
Advocacy organizations also point to Tehran’s longstanding practice of executing individuals who committed crimes as minors, a direct breach of international conventions on juvenile justice. Human rights groups have repeatedly called on Iranian authorities to end executions, ensure fair trials, and uphold legal protections for all defendants.
The execution comes as Afghan nationals in Iran face mounting challenges. Following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, large numbers of Afghans sought refuge in Iran, fleeing political turmoil and economic hardship. However, many migrants have encountered severe legal and social discrimination, including limited access to due process, inadequate legal representation, and harsh penalties.
“This recent execution highlights the dangers faced by Afghan migrants in Iran, who are often denied the most basic protections,” said Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of Iran Human Rights.
Rights groups have urged the international community to pressure Tehran to reform its judicial system and halt the execution of migrants and other vulnerable populations.
The Iranian government has not commented on the latest execution or on allegations of systemic bias against Afghan nationals.
