The Parliament of Catalonia has condemned “structural discrimination” and “systematic violence” against Hazaras in Afghanistan, urging independent investigations and support for Hazara refugees.
In a statement issued on April 28, the Catalan parliament highlighted the worsening situation in Afghanistan in recent years, including restrictions on the rights of women, girls and ethnic and religious minorities.
The statement emphasised that Hazaras in Afghanistan have endured a long history of “exclusion, repression, discrimination and systematic violence” due to their ethnic and religious identity.
Reviewing historical context, it referred to the “The first phase of massive, systematic, and state-directed violence” against Hazaras in the late 19th century during the rule of Abdur Rahman Khan.
The parliament also pointed to waves of violence against Hazaras in the years after 2001, noting that such attacks have intensified further in recent years.
According to the statement, these acts include suicide bombings, mass killings, assassinations of Hazara leaders, and attacks on educational, religious and healthcare institutions.
It stressed that these actions meet international legal criteria for “genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes”, warning that impunity increases the risk of continued and escalating violence against Hazaras.
The Catalan parliament also emphasised support for the rights of Hazara victims and asylum seekers, including humanitarian protection, asylum policies and resettlement mechanisms.
It called on the European Union and the United Nations to establish or support independent mechanisms for investigating and documenting crimes against Hazaras.
Previously, the Barcelona City Council also adopted a declaration expressing concern over the situation of Hazaras in Afghanistan and urged the international community to take immediate action to protect civilians and prevent further violence.
