The Hazara community in Afghanistan, a predominantly Shiite Muslim ethnic group, continues to face severe persecution and violence, particularly under the rule of the Taliban. Historically marginalized, the Hazaras have been subject to discrimination and targeted attacks due to their religious and ethnic identity. Since the Taliban regained power in August 2021, the situation has worsened, with the Hazaras facing increased threats from both the Taliban regime and extremist groups like ISIS-K. Bombings, targeted killings, and other forms of violence have been recurrent, especially in Hazara-dominated areas such as Kabul and the central province of Bamiyan..
The humanitarian needs of the Hazara community are immense. Many Hazaras have been forced to flee their homes due to violence, joining the ranks of Afghanistan’s growing internally displaced population. As of 2023, tens of thousands of Hazara families live in precarious conditions, lacking access to basic necessities such as food, clean water, and medical care. Humanitarian organizations have struggled to provide aid, partly due to the Taliban’s restrictions on international aid agencies. This has exacerbated the already dire conditions for displaced Hazaras, particularly women and children, who are disproportionately affected by the lack of health services and educational opportunities.
Calls for protection and safe passage for the Hazaras have largely gone unheeded, and neighboring countries such as Iran and Pakistan, where many Hazaras have sought refuge, have also been criticized for mistreating Hazara refugees. There is an urgent need for coordinated humanitarian efforts and international pressure on the Taliban to ensure the safety and rights of the Hazara people. At this point, as Rights Defenders, we call on the international community to voice their concerns more loudly about the plight of the Hazaras.
References
https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/09/13/afghanistans-hazara-community-needs-protection
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazaras
https://thediplomat.com/2024/01/the-plight-of-hazaras-under-the-taliban-government/
