Australia’s New South Wales Parliament Recognises Historical Hazara Genocide

Australia’s New South Wales Parliament Recognises Historical Hazara Genocide
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The Parliament of New South Wales has passed a motion recognising the historical genocide of the Hazara people in Afghanistan and designating September 25 each year as “Hazara Black Day” to commemorate the victims and raise awareness of historical and ongoing persecution.

The motion was introduced by Legislative Council member Anthony D’Adam, who highlighted the mass killings, forced displacement, enslavement and confiscation of land and property suffered by Hazaras under Afghan ruler Abdur Rahman Khan between 1888 and 1893. Historical estimates suggest that more than 60% of the Hazara population died during that period, although the figure is not based on definitive documented statistics.

The motion also addressed continued violence against Hazaras, a community with a significant Shi’a Muslim population, including abuses under Taliban rule and terrorist attacks by Islamic State Khorasan Province targeting Shi’a mosques, schools and community centres.

D’Adam called on Australia’s federal government to recognise the Hazara genocide at the national level, stressing the importance of preserving the victims’ historical memory and ensuring their suffering is not overlooked.