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kabul news agency?— As the world awaits the announcement of the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize winner, a large number of nominations have been submitted by Hazara movements and activists. These individuals and groups have worked tirelessly for peace, human rights and recognition of the Hazara community, an indigenous and stateless people who have suffered severe persecution and discrimination for more than a century.
The Hazara community, who live primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan, have endured a long and tragic history of violence, displacement and systemic discrimination. Their struggle for survival and their relentless pursuit of peace make them a worthy candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Since the 19th century, the Hazaras have faced a range of human rights violations, including:
• Genocide: Many experts, including the American Bar Association and Genocide Watch, have accused the Hazaras of being subjected to genocide, including targeted killings, forced relocation and cultural erasure.
• Forced displacement: The Hazaras were forced to leave their homeland, Hazaristan, which Henry Walter Bellew described in his history as “extending from the frontiers of Kabul and Ghazni to the frontiers of Herat on one side, and from the vicinity of Kandahar to the frontiers of Balkh on the other.” These frontiers are referred to in many sources as the Hazara State. The forced exodus of the Hazaras from their homeland resulted in widespread suffering and loss of cultural heritage.
• Invasion of Hazaristan: Hazaristan, the homeland of the Hazaras, has been invaded and occupied by foreign powers many times in history. This has resulted in a large number of casualties and the destruction of infrastructure. During the invasion of Hazaristan by Pashtun tribes, the Hazaras were forced to work on their own land under the oppressive rule of the invaders, which was reminiscent of genocide.
• Cultural genocide: The Hazaras have faced cultural genocide, including the destruction of their historical and cultural heritage, one of the most notable examples of which was the destruction of the Hazara Buddhas in Bamiyan by the Pashtun Taliban in 2001.
• Slavery: The Hazaras have long suffered from slavery, both within so-called Afghanistan and in neighboring regions. In the 19th century, thousands of Hazaras were enslaved by Pashtun rulers and sold to other countries.
The Hazara population was once large, making up nearly two-thirds of the country’s total population before the 19th century. During the British invasion of 1891-93, under the leadership of the Pashtun ruler Amir Abdul Rahman Khan, more than half of the Hazaras were massacred, forced to flee, or enslaved. This genocide was carried out by Pashtun tribesmen and led to a sharp decline in the Hazara population.
The Hazaras are a stateless ethnic group that faces unique vulnerabilities due to their marginalized status. Their ethnic identity as a distinct group, combined with their rich cultural and historical heritage, exacerbates the dangers they face. Their situation is further exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in their region, making them particularly vulnerable to violence and discrimination.
The Hazara community continues to suffer systematic crimes, including genocide, forced displacement, and invasions of Hazara homes, under the Taliban regime, which seized power in Afghanistan in 2021. The Taliban’s discriminatory policies have led to a significant increase in violence against the Hazara community, including targeted killings, bombings, and forced displacement.
Despite these ongoing atrocities, the Hazara community has shown extraordinary resilience and determination. The movement and activists nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize have played a vital role in advocating for their rights, raising awareness of their plight, and working towards a more just and equal society.
Their efforts include:
• Human Rights Advocacy: They documented atrocities committed against Hazaras, exposed the perpetrators and demanded accountability.
• Peace Initiative: They participate in peace talks and negotiations in an effort to find lasting solutions to conflicts in the region.
• Community Development: They work to improve the lives of Hazaras through education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.
In an open letter to the world published on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, poets from around the world The poets expressed their solidarity with the Hazaras and called for an end to the ongoing crimes against them. The letter highlighted the systemic nature of the persecution the Hazaras have endured, including genocide, enslavement, forced displacement, discrimination and invasions of their homes. The poets urged the international community to take action to protect the Hazaras and ensure their rights are respected.
The letter details specific crimes committed against the Hazaras, such as:
• Ignoring fundamental rights and requirements for equal treatment
• Attacks on peaceful Hazara protests
• Government crackdown on Hazara enlightenment movement
• Using terrorists to hinder Hazara travel
• Organized war crimes
• Permits attacks on Hazara villagers
• Allowing organized attacks on Hazara activists, artists and writers
• Systematic discrimination against Hazaras in public institutions and government departments
• Depriving Hazaras of satisfying career opportunities and marginalizing them
• Leading to drug addiction among frustrated and desperate Hazara youth
• Less than 2% of the state budget is allocated to the Hazara region
• Sending Hazara soldiers and officers to the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan
• Afghan government reaches agreement with Western countries to force deportations, mainly targeting Hazara asylum seekers
The letter also highlights the historical context of the persecution of the Hazaras, noting that crimes against them have been going on for centuries. In the 19th century, under the rule of the Pashtuns Dost Mohammad Khan and Abdurrahman Khan, the Hazaras suffered genocide, enslavement and forced displacement.
The poets called on the international community to take action to protect the Hazaras and ensure their rights are respected. They urged civil and human rights organizations to monitor the situation, document crimes, raise awareness, and pressure governments to stop the persecution. They also called on immigration authorities to grant asylum to Hazara refugees and called on world leaders to recognize the Hazara genocide and take steps to stop the crimes against them.
This is an important step forward. American Bar Association passes resolution recognizing Hazara genocide The resolution calls on governments to recognize the genocide, promote justice and accountability, and strengthen frameworks to prevent mass atrocities. The resolution reinforces the international community’s commitment to protecting the Hazara people and holding perpetrators accountable.
The Hazara Enlightenment Movement is an important force in the Hazara community’s struggle for justice and equality. The movement has played an important role in raising awareness of the plight of the Hazaras, upholding their rights, and promoting education and cultural preservation.
Despite systematic attacks by the Afghan/Pashtun government and terrorist groups, Hazara schools remain steadfast in their commitment to providing education to Hazara students. These schools are frequently attacked and destroyed, but the Hazara community has shown remarkable resilience, rebuilding the schools and continuing their educational endeavors.
Hazara students face many challenges, including discrimination, threats and violence. Yet they persist in their pursuit of education, recognizing its importance to their future and the future of their community.
By awarding the Hazara movement and activists the Nobel Peace Prize, the international community will send a powerful message of solidarity and support. It will also highlight the importance of protecting minorities and ensuring their voices are heard. Furthermore, awarding the Hazara community the Nobel Peace Prize not only acknowledges their suffering and resilience, but also supports the recognition and prevention of the Hazara genocide. Such global recognition will raise awareness of the ongoing atrocities faced by the Hazara people and compel the international community to take action to protect them.
As the world awaits the announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize winners, there is hope that the Hazara community’s struggle for peace and justice will be recognized and rewarded.
Recognizing and preventing the Hazara genocide is essential to ensuring the protection of human rights and promoting justice. The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, a multilateral treaty that defines genocide and outlines the obligations of states to prevent, punish and investigate acts of genocide, is a key tool in addressing such atrocities. The International Criminal Court (ICC) also plays a vital role in investigating and prosecuting individuals suspected of genocide and other crimes against humanity.
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