Kabul, March 20 (IANS) – In a significant development, Iran has transferred 149 Afghan prisoners to Afghanistan, handing them over to the Taliban to serve the remainder of their sentences, according to media reports.
Iran’s Deputy Minister of Justice for Human Rights and International Affairs, Askar Jalalian, confirmed the transfer but provided no details regarding the prisoners’ offenses or the conditions under which they will serve their remaining sentences under Taliban rule. The Taliban authorities have not publicly commented on the transfer or clarified whether the inmates will serve their full terms.
The exact number of Afghan prisoners in Iran remains unclear; however, rights groups estimate that a substantial number of Afghans are currently incarcerated across the country. According to the Iran Human Rights Organization, 80 Afghan prisoners were executed in Iran in 2024—three times the number recorded in 2023.**
Challenges for Afghan Refugees in Iran
The transfer of prisoners comes amid increasing hardships faced by Afghan refugees in Iran. Many migrants have reported mistreatment and severe restrictions imposed by Iranian authorities, making it difficult for them to access essential services or earn a stable income.
Recently, Nader Yarahmadi, Director General of the Bureau for Foreign Nationals and Immigrants Affairs at Iran’s Ministry of Interior, announced that, effective March 21, 2025, undocumented Afghan migrants in Iran will be denied healthcare, education, and other essential services.
“The situation of migrants in Iran is dire. Anti-migrant sentiment has increased, and police officers arrest people under various pretexts, even those with legal visas and valid documents, and deport them,” said Marofeh Eshaqi, an Afghan migrant in Iran, in an interview with TOLO News.
Reports of Mistreatment and Human Rights Violations
Several reports have emerged of Afghan refugees facing humiliation and abuse at the hands of Iranian police officials and citizens. Videos circulating on social media have depicted harassment and anti-Afghan migrant rhetoric in Iran.
Further restrictions imposed by the Iranian government have exacerbated difficulties for Afghan refugees, limiting their ability to sustain livelihoods. Afghan political analyst Fazl-ur-Rahman Oria condemned the increasing executions of Afghan detainees in Iran, stating, “The execution of defenseless and oppressed Afghans in Iran is intolerable for the people of Afghanistan and also violates international conventions and standards.”
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), refugees are individuals fleeing conflict or persecution and are protected under international law. They must not be expelled or returned to situations where their lives and freedom are at risk. However, Iran has continued deportations of Afghan refugees despite the ongoing crisis and instability in Afghanistan.
Afghan refugees have sought shelter in Iran for decades, escaping conflict in their homeland. Yet, many face illegal detention, deportation, and frequent harassment, even when possessing valid legal documents. As Iran tightens its policies on Afghan migrants, the future remains uncertain for thousands who rely on the country for refuge and survival.
This unfolding humanitarian crisis raises concerns among international human rights organizations, urging Iran to adhere to international refugee protection laws and ensure the rights and dignity of Afghan migrants within its borders.
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