Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for increased protection of the Hazara community in Afghanistan following a deadly attack in Daikundi province that left 14 dead. The attack, which took place on Thursday, was claimed by Daesh.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the Islamic State Khorasan (ISKP) affiliate has launched 17 attacks against the Hazara community, according to HRW. These assaults have resulted in more than 700 deaths and injuries, the organization said in a statement.
“This latest attack highlights the urgent need for the Taliban to take concrete measures to protect all vulnerable communities in Afghanistan, including Hazaras and other Shia Muslims,” HRW said. The statement urged governments engaging with the Taliban to advocate for greater security for the Hazara and Shia populations.
HRW also stressed the importance of accountability mechanisms for international crimes committed in Afghanistan, calling on global governments to provide financial, logistical, and political support to these efforts. “The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has an ongoing investigation in Afghanistan, focusing on alleged crimes committed by the Taliban and ISKP,” the statement read.
Survivors and victims’ families need support in their pursuit of justice, HRW added, noting that perpetrators of grave abuses in Afghanistan have largely escaped accountability for more than 40 years.
Thursday’s attack targeted Hazara men returning from a pilgrimage to Karbala, Iraq. Four others were wounded in the shooting. Daesh later claimed responsibility for the incident, which has intensified calls for international action to protect the Hazara community.
