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Statement from protest against Hazara Genocide in Afghanistan
Declaration #StopHazaraGenocide Protest in Vancouver BC June 13, 2021
The Hazara ethnic group is the victim of increased target killing and genocide in Afghanistan. We, the Hazara diaspora and Hazaras of Afghanistan call upon the international communities, United Nation, and the Government of Canada to both recognize and stop Hazara Genocide. Denying Hazara genocide is disrespecting to Hazara people who have lost and continue to lose their lives because of being Hazara. There have been intentional and systemic plans to hide the identity of Hazara victims every time Hazara people have been the victim of Genocide. Today and everyday, we stand with Hazara people until Hazara genocide is recognized and stopped by international communities and Afghanistan. We stand together in solidarity on June 13, 2021, in Vancouver Canada to seek protection of the Hazara people by the Canadian government, the international community, and Afghanistan government.
Before going to further details about each target killings of Hazara people, we will read the definition of genocide by the United Nations to illustrate how the target killings of Hazara people count as genocide. “The United Nations (UN) Defines genocide as any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such:
- “Killing members of the group”
- “Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group”
- “Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about itsphysical destruction in whole or in part”
- “Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group”
- “Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group”
The target killings of Hazara people have drastically increased recently because of being Hazara. Under United Nation definition, the pain and suffering that are inflicted on Hazara people are acts of genocide. Despite ongoing genocide of Hazara people, there is denial of Hazara genocide by Afghanistan government and international communities. Hazara people are targeted by extremist organizations at hospitals, gyms, education institutions, mosques, schools, hospitals, and at the civil and peaceful demonstrations because of being Hazara. Therefore, offering condolences and saying sorry will not stop Hazara genocide nor does it heal the pain of Hazara people unless Hazara genocide is stopped. However, protecting and stopping Hazara genocide will help Hazara people to heal and have a normal life. The Hazara people in Afghanistan live in constant fear. Hazaras are afraid to leave their homes because they are the prime target of genocidal killings.
40 targeted Hazara Attacks under Ashraf Ghani’s presidency
4458 Hazaras are killed and wounded
1177 Hazaras killed
2281 Hazaras killed
- Two civilian paasenger vehicles in Dasht-e Barchi was hit by magnetic bombs; killed 7 people and injured 6 people on June 12/21
- 85 young girls killed; 165 young girls injured in an attack on Girls school on May 8 /2021 and Shokria is still missing.
- 2 Newborn babies, 11 mothers three of them with unborn babies, and 6 other Hazaras in the hospital were killed in an attack on hospital maternity ward. 20 others were injured on October 25/2020
- 24 students killed, 57 injured in an attack on Kawsar Danish institution in March/2018
- 63 wedding guests killed, 182 injured in an attack on a wedding hall on August 17/2019
- 50 students and teachers killed, 95 injured in an attack on Maw’ud School on August 18/2018
- 82 peaceful protestors killed, 231 injured in an attack on peaceful demonstration in Dehmazang Square, Kabul on July 23/2016
- 40 Hazaras killed and 95 wounded in Imam Zaman Masque Kabul on August 25/2017
- 56 Hazaras killed and 50 wounded in second attack on Imam Zaman Masque Kabul on October 10/2017
These are a just a few examples of the 40 targeted attacks on Hazara people. These are not just number, behind each number there is a person but were killed because of being Hazara. They were equally deserving of the right to live and be protected, yet they were killed because of being Hazara.
The government of Afghanistan has done nothing to protect and stop Hazara Genocide. In fact, the government of Afghanistan is denying Hazara genocide despite the ample evidence of target killings of Hazara people. It is on all of us to get the attention of international communities and government of Canada to pressure the government of Afghanistan to stop Hazara genocide. The international communities need to act now and put an end to Hazara genocide and sufferings.
We, the Hazara diaspora and Hazara of Afghanistan in order to protect the Hazara minority from the terrorist organizations who are targeting the Hazara people, respectfully demand in the strongest manner possible:
- That the Canadian government act immediately to ensure that the rights of the Hazara minority in Afghanistan be fully protected by international law
- That the Canadian government should act immediately to place pressure on the government of Afghanistan to protect the Hazara ethnic minority from targeted killings by terrorist organizations
- That the Canadian government act immediately to recognize, condemn, and stop Hazara Genocide in Afghanistan
- That the Canadian government act immediately to bring pressure to NATO allies and partners to preserve the two decades of advances in minority rights, women’s rights, and civil rights
We express our grave concern that the Hazaras continue to be targeted as an ethnic minority and are not being protected as required under the UN Resolution 47/135 – Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities.
The Hazaras demand justice, equality, freedom, and protection. The world is watching to see what actions Canadian government and international communities will take to protect the Hazara people.
Sincerely,
Hazara Diaspora and Hazara of Afghanistan.