We, women from different countries in South Asia, stand in solidarity with the Hazara community in Afghanistan, the Hazara community was devastated by a horrific suicide bomb attack killing 43 young people, mostly women on 30th September 2022. The bomb detonated while the students were writing a university entrance examination in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood, which is predominantly populated by the Hazara Community.
We stand against global neo liberal imperialist forces which led to the invasion and extortion of Afghanistan over two decades. They entered stating the excuse of the intention to protect women and children, while their main focus was geopolitical control and looting of the rich resources that Afghanistan has, their actions have further jeopardised their situation and failed to protect them. In fact they are more vulnerable today than ever.
We call upon all to hold these powers accountable for the current state Afghanistan is in.
We stand against this gross act of violence against innocents. These young people were trying to pursue a better future, by practicing their rights to education. During the foreign invasion, the Hazara were recognised as equal citizens by the 2004 constitution and enjoyed many opportunities and a democratic presence. Younger citizens took advantage of the educational opportunities and women began to have a visible presence and voice in public spheres.
We stand against genocide and crimes against humanity. Due to the previous massacring of the Hazara Community by the Taliban and systematic discrimination, we are concerned especially for the women and children. In the past two years, there have been attacks in educational institutions of the same community.
We stand against the forces which led to the invasion and extortion of Afghanistan over two decades, entering with the intention to protect women and children, these forces have failed to protect them in the long term.
We stand against the medieval and misogynist values of the Taliban, militarism, fascism, imperialism, and the neo-liberal agenda.
Background
The Hazara community is discriminated against as the Shia Sect of Islam and their ethnicity. The Taliban massacred their community in the early nineties, where almost 2000 Hazara people were killed in one year. In Afghanistan, around 20% of the population is made up of the Hazara minority.
1. Afghanistan classroom bombing death toll rises to 43:UN, AFP 3 October 2022 https://www.newagebd.net/article/182692/afghanistan-classroom-bombing-death-toll-rises-to-43-un
2 Akbari, Farkondi (2022) The Risks Facing Hazara’s in Taliban- Ruled Afghanistan https://extremism.gwu.edu/risks-facing-hazaras-taliban-ruled-afghanistan
