Genocide Watch Warns of Continued Persecution of Shias, Hazaras Under Taliban Rule

Genocide Watch Warns of Continued Persecution of Shias, Hazaras Under Taliban Rule
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Genocide Watch has warned that religious and ethnic minorities in Afghanistan, particularly Shias and Hazaras, continue to face serious human rights violations under Taliban rule. The organization also highlighted ongoing risks to former government officials, independent journalists and critics of the Taliban, including arbitrary detention, torture, extrajudicial killings and denial of fair trials.

The organization’s report cited cases involving Shias detained for displaying banners commemorating Ashura and the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), as well as the closure of Shia mosques and alleged coercion to change religious beliefs. Attacks by ISIS-Khorasan against Hazaras and other religious and ethnic minorities remain a serious threat to civilian safety.

Genocide Watch identified these abuses as warning signs in its genocide risk assessment framework and urged UN member states to halt forced deportations of Afghans and support international efforts to collect evidence of alleged international crimes and ensure accountability.

Separately, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan reported in August 2023 that it had documented at least 800 human rights violations against former government officials and security personnel between the Taliban’s return to power and the end of June 2023. The violations included extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, torture and enforced disappearances, despite the Taliban’s announcement of a general amnesty. Human rights organizations continue to call for stronger international monitoring and protection for vulnerable communities.