Canadian Subcommittee Acknowledges Ongoing Persecution of Hazaras in Afghanistan

A report from Canada’s Subcommittee on International Human Rights has formally recognized the ongoing persecution of Afghanistan’s Hazara community, Amu TV reported yesterday.

The document, titled “Enduring and Overcoming: The Struggle of the Hazaras in Afghanistan”, designates September 25 as a day of remembrance for the Hazara massacre of 1891-1893, during which an estimated 62% of the population was killed or displaced under Abdur Rahman Khan’s rule.

The report emphasizes the heightened violence faced by Hazaras since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Predominantly Shiite Muslims in a Sunni-majority country, Hazaras have been targeted in attacks on schools, places of worship, and hospitals by both the Taliban and ISIS-K. The subcommittee highlights the historical context of this persecution, noting that it reflects long-standing prejudices.

Experts, including anthropologist Melissa Kerr Chiovenda, describe the Hazaras’ religious and ethnic identities as intertwined, making them targets for extremist groups. The report also explores the classification of Hazara persecution as genocide, referencing the Genocide Convention’s criteria.

It concludes with a call for international recognition and action to protect the Hazara community in Afghanistan, urging global support to prevent further atrocities against this marginalized group.