Iran Executes 85 Afghan Nationals in 2025, Marking an Alarming Escalation, Human Rights Group Reports

The human rights organization Hengaw reported that Iran has executed at least 85 citizens of Afghanistan in 2025, highlighting a sharp and concerning rise in the use of capital punishment against foreign prisoners. The latest case involved Bismillah Tajik, who was put to death on Sunday, December 28, at Bandar Abbas Central Prison.

This year’s total already surpasses the confirmed figure of at least 80 Afghan executions in 2024, indicating an intensifying pattern of punitive measures targeting one of Iran’s largest migrant and refugee communities. Most of the executed individuals were convicted on charges such as murder and drug trafficking, according to court documents cited by Hengaw.

Human rights monitors and refugee advocates warn that these prisoners are systematically denied due process, including access to fair trials, competent legal representation, and consular assistance. Many are from marginalized communities, lack financial resources, and face language barriers, leaving them acutely vulnerable within the Iranian judicial system.

Context of a Broader Crisis
The steady increase in executions of Afghan nationals coincides with the consolidation of Taliban rule in Afghanistan since 2021, which has led to a surge in refugee flows and a hardening of Iran’s immigration policies. Reports from groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch indicate that Afghan prisoners often face discriminatory treatment and are disproportionately represented on Iran’s death row.

A United Nations human rights spokesperson recently reiterated that Iran has repeatedly ignored international appeals to halt executions and commute death sentences. “The lack of transparency and consistent reports of fair trial violations are deeply alarming,” the spokesperson stated, echoing concerns from global bodies about Iran’s compliance with international human rights law.

A Global Leader in Executions
Iran consistently ranks as one of the world’s top executioners, second only to China, reflecting the regime’s entrenched reliance on capital punishment as both a judicial and political tool. Critics argue that drug-related offenses, which account for a significant portion of these executions, do not meet the international legal standard of “most serious crimes” required for the imposition of the death penalty.

Furthermore, human rights organizations have pointed out that the official charges in these cases are frequently difficult to verify independently. They raise serious fears about the potential use of coerced confessions, the opacity of court proceedings, and the overall lack of impartiality and transparency in Iran’s justice system.

International Condemnation and Calls for Action
The accelerating execution rate has prompted renewed condemnation from foreign governments, UN agencies, and international human rights networks. Multiple diplomatic calls have urged Iran to respect the fundamental rights of foreign nationals, adhere to global moratoriums on the death penalty, and uphold its obligations under international law.

Advocates stress that immediate and concerted diplomatic pressure, coupled with enhanced independent monitoring of Iran’s prison and court systems, is crucial to prevent further loss of life. “The world must not look away. These executions represent a failure of justice and humanity. Protecting the most vulnerable within Iran’s borders requires sustained international engagement and accountability,” said a representative from the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights.

The situation underscores a critical human rights crisis at the intersection of Iran’s punitive judiciary, the plight of Afghan refugees, and the international community’s struggle to enforce human rights norms.

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