Rights Group Warns of Continued Violence Against Hazaras in Afghanistan After Over Century of Persecution

Rights Group Warns of Continued Violence Against Hazaras in Afghanistan After Over Century of Persecution
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According to a report by the “Genocide Watch” organization, persecution of the Hazara community dates back to the late 19th century, particularly during the campaigns of Emir Abdul Rahman Khan between 1891 and 1893, which included killings, enslavement, forced displacement, and confiscation of land in Hazara-majority areas.

The report said Hazara communities continued to face targeting during Afghanistan’s civil wars, under different periods of Taliban rule, and through attacks carried out by the Islamic State Khorasan Province group against Shia communities and institutions.

It cited United Nations documentation of more than 65 attacks targeting Hazaras between January 2017 and January 2021, resulting in the deaths of more than 750 civilians. The report noted that further attacks in later years targeted schools, religious centers, and Hazara-populated areas.

The organization also highlighted the challenges faced by Hazara women and girls, who experience discrimination linked to their ethnic, religious, and gender identities, along with restrictions on women’s rights under Taliban rule and barriers to education, healthcare, and humanitarian assistance.

The report warned that poverty, land disputes, forced displacement, and ongoing insecurity could further increase the vulnerability of the Hazara community. It called on the international community to strengthen protections, ensure accountability for violations, and involve survivors and civil society groups in efforts to prevent further abuses and promote justice.