The Hazara Genocide Uncovered: A Comprehensive Online Resource – Omid Mohammadi
You might be familiar with the genocide of Indigenous Americans by the European colonizers where the population of Indigenous Americans declined by as much as 90 percent (Ostler, 2015), or The Holocaust, where about two-thirds of the Jewish population was killed in Europe (Jewish Population of Europe in 1945, n.d.). However, you might not be familiar with the prolonged and ongoing Hazara Genocide in Afghanistan.
Overview:
The Hazara ethnic group is a distinct and notable population residing in the mountainous region of central Afghanistan*. Distinguishable by their Asiatic appearance, distinct Farsi dialect, and adherence to the Shi’a faith in a predominantly Sunni Muslim country, Hazaras have been targeted in mass atrocities throughout the history of Afghanistan. The recent escalation of violence and mass atrocities committed against the Hazara community can be attributed to a culture of impunity that has developed as a result of the lack of consequences for previous acts of aggression against this group (Hakimi, 2022). Despite the magnitude of these atrocities and the increased frequency of attacks on the Hazara community, there is a significant deficiency of comprehensive information and resources pertaining to the subject. This research project endeavors to address this gap by constructing a comprehensive and extensive online database of data and relative information on the Hazara Genocide. The goal of this project is to garner recognition of the Hazara genocide by the international community and incite them to take effective measures to terminate these ongoing atrocities.
* The Hazara ethnic group was forced into exile from their traditional lands and sought refuge in the mountainous regions of central Afghanistan and neighboring countries. (Hakimi, 2022)
Background:
The Hazara ethnic group has been the target of systemic racism and mass atrocities throughout the history of Afghanistan. This discrimination and violence against Hazaras has been driven by a combination of factors, including religious, ethnic and linguistic differences. In the late 19th century, Pashtun Emir Abdur Rahman Khan launched a campaign to bring the Hazarajat under his control, which resulted in the killing of as much as 60% of the Hazara population (DFAT, 2017). These atrocities continued throughout the 20th century, with a notable instance being the Taliban’s massacre of between 2,000 to 8,000 Hazara civilians in Mazar-e Sharif, Balkh province in 1998 (The Massacre in Mazar-i Sharif, n.d.). Despite Afghanistan’ accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in 2003, the atrocities against Hazaras have intensified in recent years, with thousands of civilians being killed, injured, tortured, kidnapped and forcibly displaced. The takeover of Kabul by the Taliban in August 2021 has led to heightened concerns regarding the safety and security of the Hazara ethnic group. While other ethnicities in Afghanistan are also facing difficulties, the dangers for the Hazara community have been exacerbated. The historical persecution and targeted violence against Hazaras by the Taliban, as well as the ongoing discrimination and marginalization they face, have led to increased vulnerability for this community. The recent developments in the country have further exacerbated the situation, and the international community should be aware of the risks Hazaras are facing and take measures to protect them.
Project Overview:
This projects centers around building a comprehensive and extensive online database of data and relative information on the Hazara Genocide.
Hakimi, M. J. (2022). Relentless Atrocities: The Persecution of Hazaras (SSRN Scholarly Paper No. 4121751). https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4121751
Jewish Population of Europe in 1945. (n.d.). Retrieved June 25, 2023, from https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/remaining-jewish-population-of-europe-in-1945
Ostler, J. (2015). Genocide and American Indian History. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of American History. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199329175.013.3
THE MASSACRE IN MAZAR-I SHARIF. (n.d.). Human Rights Watch. Retrieved June 25, 2023, from https://www.hrw.org/legacy/reports98/afghan/Afrepor0.htm
Trade, A. G.-D. of F. A. and. (2017, September 18). DFAT Thematic Report Hazaras in Afghanistan (Afghanistan). https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/1419305.html