Several women’s rights groups condemned Thursday’s attack on Hazaras in Afghanistan’s Daikundi province, calling it a “genocide” targeting the ethnic minority.
The attack, which occurred on Thursday, left at least 14 people dead and four others wounded. Daesh has claimed responsibility for the assault, which took place as victims were traveling from Daikundi to neighboring Ghor province.
“Hazaras are being systematically targeted for their ethnicity and religious sect. They face violence in mosques, schools, sports fields, cities, villages, and even during religious ceremonies. There is no peace or security for them anywhere in the country,” a women’s rights group said in a statement.
The group also claimed that more than 20 terrorist organizations have been operating in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. The statement accused the Taliban of enabling terrorism rather than ensuring the safety of the population. “The Taliban, which itself supports terrorists and terrorism, misleads the international community with false promises of security,” the statement added.
In a symbolic protest, the movement said its members have begun painting banners on walls to raise awareness about the ongoing violence against Hazaras, calling on global powers to recognize the killings as genocide and a crime against humanity.
Another women’s group, the Saturday Purple Movement, echoed these concerns. In a separate statement, the group urged the United Nations, the International Criminal Court, and human rights organizations to investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable. It also called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to pressure the Taliban to prevent further attacks on the Hazara community.
The attack in Daikundi has sparked outrage both within Afghanistan and internationally, as calls grow for stronger action to protect the Hazara population from ongoing violence.
