Uncovering the similarities: the Hazara and Holocaust

History has witnessed some of humanity’s most horrific atrocities, perhaps the most infamous of which is the Holocaust. However, it is important to recognize that the Holocaust was not an isolated incident of mass violence and persecution. The Hazara genocide in Hazaristan and throughout so-called Afghanistan has been an ongoing tragedy since the late 19th century, bearing striking similarities to the Jewish Holocaust. This article seeks to illuminate these similarities while highlighting the historical context of the invasion of Hazaristan and the subsequent persecution of the Hazaras.

1. Discrimination and persecution:

The heartbreaking parallels between the Hazara genocide and the Jewish Holocaust extend to disturbing issues of discrimination and persecution, carving out a narrative of profound pain and injustice.

The Hazaras, who live mainly in Hazaristan, have suffered relentless discrimination and persecution for more than a century. Their plight is similar to that of European Jews in the 1930s and 1940s, rooted in targeted discrimination based on ethnic and religious identity.

Hazara society is composed mainly of Shia Muslims, who are called Kafirs (inland people) by the Pashtuns, living in areas forcibly designated as “Afghanistan” and forcibly given the identity of “Afghans”. This forced transformation unfolded as Pashtun tribes invaded and occupied large parts of Hazarastan, bringing untold suffering to the Hazara community. This transformation brought about a drastic change in the social status of the Hazaras, leading to their marginalization, brutalization and enslavement.

The discrimination suffered by the Hazaras runs deep, not only in relation to their religious and ethnic identity, but also in relation to their social and economic status in Hazaristan. This discrimination is a pervasive undercurrent that affects every aspect of their lives, from education and employment to basic rights and opportunities. The Hazaras have been relegated to the margins of their own country, living as second-class citizens in the land they have inhabited for generations.

Similarly, during the Holocaust, Jews in Europe were persecuted because of their Jewish ancestry. Both Hazaras and Jews face institutionalized discrimination, being denied equal rights, subjected to violence, segregation, and isolation from society. This is an affront to the principles of equality, justice, and human dignity.

The systematic persecution of Hazaras in Hazaristan and Jews in Europe is a chilling reminder of the depths of human cruelty. It underscores the urgent need for a universal commitment to human rights, tolerance and the rejection of all forms of discrimination and hatred.

2. Systemic violence:

The Hazara genocide and the Holocaust share eerie similarities in terms of systematic violence—a harsh reality that casts a shadow over the histories of these groups.

During the Holocaust, the Nazi regime orchestrated violence against the Jewish people through the establishment of concentration and extermination camps. These facilities were designed with the express purpose of systematically killing millions of Jews using methods such as mass shootings, gas chambers, and forced labor. Their primary goal was the total extermination of the Jewish people.

Likewise, in Hazaristan and across so-called Afghanistan, various Afghan regimes, including the Taliban, have perpetrated systematic violence against the Hazaras. This violence has taken many forms, including massacres, forced displacement, enslavement, and targeted killings, all carefully organized to terrorize and ultimately exterminate the Hazaras.

A dark side of this systematic violence is the involvement of the Kochi Pashtuns, a historically nomadic Pashtun tribe, who have played a major role in the atrocities against the Hazaras. Their involvement in the systematic crimes against the Hazaras has deepened the horrors of the genocide.

Kochi Pashtuns have been implicated in acts of violence, including attacks on Hazara villages, looting and forced displacement. Their nomadic lifestyle has made them instruments of terror and contributed to the overall violence against the Hazara community. The involvement of Kochi Pashtuns highlights the complex network of actors responsible for the persecution and suffering of the Hazara community.

The Hazara genocide and massacres are stark reminders that systematic violence knows no boundaries and can be perpetrated by a wide range of actors, often in the name of oppressive regimes. They underscore the importance of holding all perpetrators accountable and seeking justice for victims.

3. International community’s indifference and the importance of recognizing the Hazara genocide:

The similarities between the Hazara genocide and the Holocaust also lie in the disturbing indifference of the international community. Just as the world was slow to respond to the horrors of the Holocaust, the suffering of the Hazara people of Hazaristan has largely unfolded in the shadow of international attention.

During the Holocaust, many countries were aware of the atrocities that were taking place, yet they took no meaningful action to stop or prevent them. This apathy had disastrous consequences, allowing the Nazi regime to continue its genocidal campaign largely unchecked.

Similarly, the Hazara genocide has been met with indifference and inaction from the international community. The suffering of the Hazara people, marked by systematic discrimination, violence and oppression, has often been ignored or overlooked by the international community. This lack of attention not only perpetuates the cycle of violence, but also sends a distressing message: some lives are more important than others.

The importance of acknowledging the Hazara genocide and the suffering that the Hazara people continue to endure today cannot be overstated. By acknowledging this historical injustice, we honor the memory of the victims and shine a light on a dark chapter in human history that continues to impact the lives of the Hazara people today.

Recognition is the first step in raising awareness and mobilizing international support to end the ongoing persecution and violence against the Hazara people. It calls on governments, organizations and individuals to stand in solidarity with the Hazara community, support their quest for justice, and work together to ensure such atrocities are never repeated.

Furthermore, recognizing the Hazara genocide reminds us that genocide is not an isolated historical event, but an ongoing tragedy that humanity must face together. It underscores the need to be vigilant against discrimination, hatred and violence, and to protect the rights and dignity of all people, regardless of their ethnic or religious background.

In 1890, Hazarastan was disintegrated due to a war with Afghanistan, where 62% of the native Hazaras were brutally killed by Afghanistan. #HazaraGenocideRemembranceDaythis @LemkinInstitute Remembering the long-lasting effects of the genocide and subsequent displacement… pic.twitter.com/DouXyn3Lzi

— Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention (@LemkinInstitute) September 26, 2023

4. Collaboration with Fascism:

Another disturbing similarity is the collusion of certain Pashtun politicians with the Nazi regime. During the turbulent years of World War II, some Pashtun politicians sought to ally themselves with Hitler’s Nazi regime, further exacerbating the suffering of the Hazaras. Central to this collusion was the concept of the Aryan race. Pashtun leaders who subscribed to this ideology believed that they shared a common racial identity with the Nazi regime’s vision of an Aryan master race.

This collaboration allowed the Pashtun elite to ally themselves with global powers, seeking to use Nazi ideology to support their own political agenda. They believed that a Nazi victory could allow Pashtuns to gain regional dominance and consolidate their privileges over Hazaras and other non-Pashtun groups. This alliance with fascist ideology and regimes was a blatant betrayal of the values ​​of equality and justice, and led to great suffering for the Hazaras.

At the time, only Pashtuns enjoyed privileges, while Hazaras lived as an underclass in their homeland that was invaded by Pashtun tribes. The social hierarchy was entrenched, and Hazaras were forced into labor, poverty, and limited education and opportunities. On the other hand, Pashtuns had power and privileges, perpetuating the system of inequality and further exacerbating the plight of the Hazara community.

This stark disparity in privilege and social status creates an environment of injustice that continues to marginalize Hazaras in their own country. They are denied rights and opportunities that the Pashtun elite take for granted, and endure lives filled with discrimination, hardship, and violence. Collaboration with fascism not only deepens these inequalities, but also highlights the extent of Hazara suffering both domestically and on the global stage.

in conclusion:

The Hazara genocide in Hazaristan and across Afghanistan, which has lasted for more than a century, is a painful and ongoing chapter in human history that shares with the Holocaust the systematic persecution, discrimination, and violence that characterized the Holocaust. We must remember that genocide is not an isolated historical event, but an ongoing tragedy that humanity must face together. By recognizing and acknowledging these similarities, we can honor the victims, raise awareness, and work to create a world where such atrocities never happen again. We have a moral responsibility to ensure that the suffering of the Hazara people in Hazaristan, like the suffering of the Jewish community during the Holocaust, is not forgotten or ignored.