Religious Freedom Commission voices concern over religious minorities in Afghanistan

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) believes the situation of religious minorities in Afghanistan is an issue of concern.

Accordingly, USCIRF has demanded the US State Department to include Afghanistan on its watchlist.

The organization has mentioned several attacks against religious minorities in its report published on Monday, adding that “both the U.S. and Afghani governments have not fulfilled their commitment of protecting believers of different faiths.”

According to the report the religious freedom conditions have continuously declined since Taliban seized power in 2021, noting that “its harsh interpretation of Shari’a violates the freedom of religion or belief of religious minorities.”

USCIRF has asked the US Government to discuss “protections for freedom of religion or belief” during its future talks with the Taliban.

It should be mentioned that Afghanistan’s religious minorities, including Hazaras, Sikhs and Hindus, have been attacked by the Taliban since they came into power.