The Hazeras, constituting over one-fourth of Afghanistan’s population, are considered the
indigenous people of the land. For more than a century, they have been subjected to genocide in
their native land—losing their own lands, being forcibly displaced from their homes, and falling
victim to mass killings and targeted murders. Despite being the primary targets of suicide attacks
and systematic massacres in schools, educational institutions, hospitals, mosques, roads, and public
places during the last two decades, to some extent they have maintained a presence in
governmental offices and various military levels.
Unfortunately following collapse of the government in Aug 2021, Hazera’s were entirely purged from
governmental and military institutions by Taliban. The policy of forced displacement and land
seizure, initially started and implemented by Abdul Rahman in 1887, has resurfaced, with the Taliban
confiscating the wealth of Hazera merchants. In the new Taliban era, Hazera’s are the only
community subjected to systematic and targeted killings along with continuing the previous cycles of
genocide. In the past two years alone, the Taliban has issued over fifty decrees against women’s
freedom. Unprecedented restrictions and unprecedented deprivation of fundamental rights,
including education, employment, economic, social, and political activities, are among these
constraints.
Continuing the long history of Hazera genocide, the Taliban has now resorted to arbitrary arrests and
widespread abductions of Hazera women and girls, citing their appearance and clothing as a pretext.
Disturbing reports reveal the transfer of Hazera girls to unknown locations by the Taliban,
accompanied by inhumane behaviors, mental violence, and medieval torture. All of these, along with
the uncertainty surrounding the fate of these girls, their families, and the entire Hazera nation, have
caused great concern. For this reason, the Hazera community, in support and defense of their rights,
has initiated global protests to condemn and put an end to the heinous and barbaric actions of the
Taliban. In recent years, the United Nations Security Council has passed Resolution 2721,
highlighting serious challenges faced by women, religious groups, and minorities, emphasizing the
promotion of human rights, including the rights of women and minorities in Afghanistan. It appears
that the Taliban is using this issue as a means to pressure the global community towards achieving
their illegitimate goals and ambitions. This is evident in the unprecedented suppression of Hazera
women especially girls, suicide bombings, systematic terrorist activities, and organized massacres
and targeted killings against these people due to their affiliation with a particular ethnic and
religious group.
Protestors around the world request following demands as the rightful rights of all the people of
Afghanistan, and especially the Hazera people. We emphasize and exert pressure for their
realization, and we urge the global community to stand with us:
We call upon the United Nations and free nations of the world to officially recognize the
‘Genocide of the Hazera’s’ in Afghanistan. To achieve this, we suggest the formation of
investigative teams as soon as possible to hold criminals and murderers accountable by
bringing them to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and ensuring justice.
We call upon the United Nations especially the UN Human Rights Council, to exert pressure
on the Taliban to promptly put an end to these disorderly conditions and crimes against
humanity. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of detained girls.
We urge the ICC to demand accountability and trial for those responsible for the genocidal
acts against the Hazera community and crimes against humanity, particularly the leaders of
the Taliban.
We urge the United Nations and all human rights organizations worldwide to recognize the
Taliban’s actions, such as the abduction and detention of women, imposition of educational
and social restrictions, and the suppression of demands for justice, as ‘Gender Apartheid’
and ‘crimes against humanity.’ Perpetrators of these crimes should be brought to justice in
international courts.
We consider the Taliban as a terrorist group that has occupied our country. Therefore, we
urge the United Nations and the global community to promptly cease positive engagement
with the Taliban, cut off any aid provided by some countries to this terrorist group, and take
swift actions to hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes and atrocities.
We call upon the United Nations and the international community to stop providing financial
assistance to Taliban under the name of Afghanistan people and independently distribute
them to each ethnic group, ensuring transparency and accountability.
We earnestly request the United Nations – which has formulated a roadmap for overcoming
the crisis and deadlock in Afghanistan – to recognize the Hazera people as a reality victimized
by ethnic discrimination and marginalization. Considering their capacity and existence
support them raise their voice at all stages of consultation and decision-making.
With the hope of achieving a free, secure, and stable Afghanistan based on development and social
justice for all.
The Hazera Assembly for Global Protest
January 21, 2024