Dead bodies of 13 Afghans executed in Iran were handed over to their family members in Herat on Wednesday. They were holding a protest demonstration with coffins of their loved ones put in front of the Iranian Consulate in Herat demanding an international probe into the execution of Afghans in Iran. 

The bodies were brought from graves in Iran, where they were killed six months ago and buried temporarily. They say relatives of the victims had to bribe Iranian officials and bring the bodies. It is an inhumane attitude from the Islamic Republic (Iran) that insults even the dead bodies. At least the dead should receive its final resting ritual rights—as a human dignity if not important Islamic practice.

The protesters were also outraged on the Government for ignoring their plea and not cooperating with families of victims to bring back dead bodies of their loved ones. Government officials were rather trying to end the protest rally by asking people to bury the bodies as soon as possible.

The Government has been idle on this issue despite nationwide protests last year.  According to a group of lawmakers from both houses of the parliament who visited Iran few months ago, there are about 2000 Afghans in custody in Iranian jails waiting for capital punishment.

Despite the fact that under a cooperation agreement, Tehran is bound to inform the Government of Afghanistan about arrested Afghans and their crimes, Kabul does not know about exact number of those waiting to be executed.

Last year when 45 Afghan refugees were executed during three days, anti-Iran protest demonstrations erupted across the country. However, the recent executions have not been widely reported, nor shown any reaction by the Government. Families of the victims have been stranding to receive their bodies on border for months now.

The Karzai Administration does not bother or dare to pressurize Iranian officials about the executions. The Government must take up this issue on high levels and demand an immediate halt to all the execution and their repatriation. If Tehran insists on alleged crimes of those in detention, the Government should push to provide them with legal assistance to defend themselves in Iranian courts.

The issue is beyond capacity of our ineffective and careless rulers. The United Nations Human Rights Council needs to take notice of the situation of Afghans in Iran, particularly over two thousands prisoners who are waiting their turn to be hanged.