Thousands join vigils & demonsration around Australia calling for action following a targeted attack in Afghanistan against the Hazara people

Thousands of people joined the Hazara-Australian community across the country over the weekend calling on the Albanese Government to respond to the dramatic escalation of violence against the Hazara people in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover in August last year.

The vigils were held following a terrorist attack on the Kaaj Academic Learning Centre in a predominantly Hazara neighbourhood of Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, October 1, killing 54 and injuring 112 people, mostly school-aged girls and boys. 

The Albanese Government must respond to this worrying and dramatic escalation of violence against the Hazara people in Afghanistan by:

• Formally recognising and condemning the dramatic escalation of violence against the Hazara people in Afghanistan.

• Convening an emergency roundtable with the Australian-Hazara Community to hear about the grave concerns that the Australian-Hazara community hold for their family members and relatives in Afghanistan.

• Committing to 20,000 emergency additional humanitarian intake from Afghanistan focusing on at-risk groups such as Hazara people and granting permanent protection to Hazara refugees currently on temporary protection visas.

The attack on the education institution on Friday was not an isolated event and is one in a series of targeted attacks against Hazara people in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover in August last year.

This includes a bombing in April 2022, which killed 31 worshippers and injured 87 people from the Hazara ethnic group at a Shia Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan. As well as a suicide bombing that targeted a Shia Mosque in Kunduz, Afghanistan, in October last year, in which at least 100 worshippers from the Hazara ethnic group were killed or injured.

Hazara people have long been the target of sectarian violence, systemic discrimination and persecution in Afghanistan, never knowing safety whilst the Taliban have reigned. These recent attacks mark a worrying and dramatic escalation of violence against the Hazara people since the Taliban forcibly took control of Afghanistan.

Zohal Azra, Hazara Diaspora said: “Once again Hazara fathers, mothers and families are forced to bury their young children following a suicide attack on Kaaj Educational Centre in Kabul Afghanistan killing over 54 students, mostly young girls."

“It is clear that the Taliban are incapable and unwilling to protect and safeguard the Hazara community. In no uncertain terms, these attacks amount to genocide. Australia and the world must act in all forms and take all measures possible to #StopHazaraGenocide.”

Besmallah Rezaee, Lawyer and CEO of Baba Mazari Foundation said: “The genocide of Hazaras has been neglected for far too long and the international community has essentially been indifferent. It’s time for it to be recognised and Australia has a moral obligation to help prevent the brutal genocide of Hazaras.”

Zabi Mazoori, Hazara community leader & President of United Cultural Support Inc said: “I am gravely concerned for the safety of Hazaras in Afghanistan. The Australian-Hazara community is retraumatised every time Hazaras are targeted in Afghanistan. Our community in Australia feels helpless about the ongoing targeted and systematic attacks on Hazaras in Afghanistan. Under Taliban rule, the Hazaras have no protection in Afghanistan and are facing genocide. Australia and the international community must act to protect the Hazaras from these genocidal attacks.”

Mohammad Mir Norozi, Hazara Community of Geelong, Victoria, said: “Almost all Australian-Hazaras have family members and relatives in Afghanistan who are living under the constant systemic threat of violence and killing. The Australian government has a moral obligation to recognise and condemn the escalating violence experienced by the Hazara people in Afghanistan. The Australian government must also grant permanent protection and safety to thousands of Hazara refugees currently living in Australia on temporary protection visas, and expedite the processing of family reunification, and humanitarian visas lodged by Hazara people from Afghanistan.”

Tanin Azhar, Hazara Community of Queensland said: “The terrorist attack that left more than 150 Hazara students dead is just the latest tragic reminder that Hazara people, including family members of Australian citizens, face genocide in Afghanistan. Australia should not need a deadly terrorist attack to act. The urgency is overwhelming and it is present. Failing to act by bringing at-risk Hazaras to safety could leave a permanent moral stain on the Australian conscience.”

–ENDS–

Media contact: Arif Hussein 0438 722 758 or arif.hussein@racs.org.au