Stressing that Taliban authorities have done little to protect Hazaras and other religious minorities at their mosques, schools, and workplaces, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday, that the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP), has repeatedly attacked these communities.
HRW added that these communities are suffering from constant suicide bombings and other unlawful attacks and haven’t even been provided necessary medical care and other assistance for victims and their families.
HRW emphasised that the Taliban authorities should protect at-risk minorities, including the Hazara and Shia, and ensure their rights to access education and worship without fear. They asked the group to consult with communities at risk and civil society groups to protect civilian institutions vulnerable to attack, including schools, hospitals, places of worship, and other community institutions.
The watchdog group also asked the Taliban to fully comply with international humanitarian law, and appropriately prosecute those responsible for grave abuses.
As per the report released, HRW states that since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021, the Islamic State affiliate has claimed responsibility for 13 attacks against Hazaras and has been linked to at least three more, killing and injuring at least 700 people. The Taliban’s growing crackdown on the media, especially in the provinces, means additional attacks are likely to have gone unreported. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that recent attacks by the group on Shia gatherings in Kabul killed and injured more than 120 people.
“Since the Taliban takeover, ISIS-linked fighters have committed numerous brutal attacks against members of the Hazara community as they go to school, to work, or to pray, without a serious response from the Taliban authorities,” said Fereshta Abbasi, Afghanistan researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The Taliban have an obligation to protect at-risk communities and assist the victims of attacks and their families.”
In October 2021, the Taliban Interior Ministry spokesperson, Saeed Khosty, said that they would ensure security for religious minorities. However, the Taliban do not appear to have provided increased security in Kabul, Mazar-e Sharif, and Kunduz provinces, where attacks have killed hundreds of people since January 2022, HRW said.
“Attacks on Hazara and other religious minorities by the Islamic State of Khorasan Province violate international humanitarian law, which remains applicable in Afghanistan. Deliberate attacks on civilians are war crimes,” stated HRW in the report.
The rights watchdog added that the Taliban’s failure to provide security to at-risk populations and medical and other assistance to survivors and affected families, as well as Taliban policies that violate human rights, particularly those of women and girls, exacerbates the harm these attacks cause.
The report highlighted that attacks have made it difficult, if not impossible, for Hazara and Shia community members to exercise their rights to education, to practice their religion, and to other fundamental freedoms. Many found it difficult to get health care and say they don’t feel safe going out in public. They now avoid social gatherings, public transportation, and other public places.
HRW even called on IS-KP and other armed groups to comply with international humanitarian law, and cease all attacks against civilians and punish commanders responsible for serious abuses.
HRW stressed that there should be adequate support for emergency health care, such as ambulance services and psychosocial (mental health) support along with financial support to survivors of attacks and family members.
Not limiting itself to condemning the attacks, the Rights watchdog also called on global governments engaging with the Taliban to put pressure on the group for better protection of Hazara and Shia communities and encourage and support mechanisms to strengthen accountability for crimes committed in Afghanistan, including against the Hazara and Shia communities.
“All governments should suspend forcible returns to Afghanistan and should look favourably on applications for asylum, and other forms of international protection, for the Hazara and other persecuted ethnic and religious minorities in Afghanistan,” it added.
