Human Rights Under Scrutiny in Iran Amid Execution Surge and Afghan Migrant Violence

Iran is facing heightened international scrutiny over its human rights record, marked by an alarming surge in executions and a rising number of killings and disappearances targeting Afghan migrants, particularly women and girls, according articles published by Jurist News and Khaama Press.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, recently urged Iran to halt executions, following at least 612 executions in the first half of 2025—more than double last year’s figures. Many cases involve drug offenses or vaguely defined charges, with severe concerns raised over a lack of fair trials and due process.

Simultaneously, reports highlight a troubling trend of violence against Afghan migrants, coinciding with intensified deportations. Cases include the disappearances of teenage girls in Tehran and the discovery of mutilated bodies. Human rights activists denounce these incidents as “systematic violence,” emphasizing the extreme vulnerability and lack of legal protection for Afghan communities, with victim families often feeling abandoned by authorities. Both issues underscore significant human rights challenges within the country.