introduction
The second half of the 19th century marked a tragic chapter in the history of the Hazara people, culminating in a genocide that continues to demand recognition and reparations. This systematic extermination was not an isolated incident, but rather a direct result of the involvement of the British government, which provided significant political, financial, and military support to the Pashtun tribes in their efforts to conquer the Hazaras of Hazaristan. . Ongoing crimes such as genocide, forced displacement, and discrimination highlight the urgency of recognizing and addressing these injustices. Understanding this complex history is essential to recognizing the historical injustices faced by the Hazaras and the psychological and cultural effects that continue to this day.
Hazara genocide: systematic extermination and cultural erasure
The Hazara genocide is marked by a concerted effort to exterminate this ethnic group, which formed a significant demographic within the region now known as Afghanistan. Driven by British colonial interests in Central Asia, the strategic support given to Pashtun forces led to the systematic killing of over 60% of the Hazara population. Under the auspices of Abdul Rahman Khan Barikzai, the Pashtun genocide was aimed at consolidating power in the region while facilitating violent incursions into Hazara lands.
The Hazara border, drawn by British colonial administrator Henry Walter Bellew, stretched from Kabul and Ghazni to Herat in one direction, and from Kandahar to Balkh in the other. This territory included most of what is now called Afghanistan. Before the invasion of Hazara territory, Pashtuns lived primarily in what is now Pakistan and parts of India. British intervention in favor of the Pashtun tribes seriously undermined the fundamental right to self-determination of the Hazaras, a situation made worse by the British government’s enduring influence over these tribes.
Cultural genocide: the destruction of identity
The genocide of the Hazaras extended beyond physical extermination. It involved a concerted attack on their cultural identity. The systematic dismantling of Hazara heritage included the erasure of important cultural symbols, particularly the Bamiyan Buddha statues. These monumental statues carved into the cliffs of Hazaristan represent the historical and cultural lineage of the Hazara people. The Taliban’s destruction of the Hazara people in 2001 is typical of a broader campaign of cultural genocide aimed at erasing them from the historical narrative.
This systematic effort to dismantle Hazara identity can truly be described as “cultural genocide.” Violence against the Hazaras has continued for centuries, fostering a culture of impunity for crimes against this marginalized nation. Moreover, the forcible imposition of a false “Afghan” identity has served to eliminate the uniqueness of Hazara culture and perpetuate a narrative of systematic discrimination and subjugation.
Calling Hazaras and other stateless nations “minorities” is misleading, consistent with Pashtun propaganda, and undermines their historical existence and sovereignty. Such terms promote abuse against them and reinforce dominant narratives that erase the unique cultural and political identities of these groups, especially in the face of ongoing violence and oppression. Masu.
Map of Hazaristan before the advent of Afghanistan
The role of British colonialism: political, financial and military support
The British government played a pivotal role in directing the Hazara genocide. British colonial officials sought to expand their influence in the region, laying the groundwork for the violent conquest of the Hazaras. Through financial and military aid to Pashtun forces, Britain facilitated operations aimed at consolidating power at the expense of the Hazaras. This collaboration created a legacy of institutionalized violence and perpetuated the systematic oppression of the Hazara people.
During this period, media coverage of the Hazaras was heavily influenced by British colonial interests. Portraying Hazaras as “rebels” participating in an “insurgency” delegitimized their struggle for self-defense. This framework not only called into question the legitimacy of efforts to protect the Hazara community, but also shaped public opinion, cast Hazaras in a negative light, and contributed to their further marginalization. Such narrative manipulation has reinforced the injustices faced by Hazaras and obscured the truth about their plight.
Intergenerational trauma: The psychological effects of genocide
The psychological impact of the Hazara genocide extends far beyond the direct effects of the violence, creating a lasting legacy of intergenerational trauma. The collective memory of the atrocities committed against the Hazaras instills deep fear, anxiety, and mistrust within the community. The scars of violence are not only personal, but also social, continuing to affect successive generations as a perpetual cycle of trauma.
The Hazara people are facing a severe identity crisis due to the imposition of a false identity and systematic violence. The psychological burden carried by Hazaras is further exacerbated by their continued marginalization, reinforcing a narrative of victimhood and exclusion.
Kochi Campaign: State-sanctioned violence against Hazaras
The Kochi operation, which has historically been sanctioned by Pashtun-led governments, is an example of state-sponsored violence against Hazaras. The Kochi people enjoyed significant ethnic privileges during the Karzai and Ghani Ahmadzai Pashtun governments, with 10 reserved seats in the so-called parliament. This privileged position has allowed them to exert influence and maintain a presence in the political arena, even though thousands of Taliban prisoners have been released by these governments.
Operation Kochi, marked by brutal land violations and violent repression, empowers well-armed Kochi people with government support to move freely within Hazara territory. They plunder Hazara homes and invade Hazara lands, further entrenching a culture of oppression against Hazaras. The legacy of these acts is evidence of the human rights violations that Hazaras continue to endure, reinforcing systems of discrimination and abuse.
The Rise of Pashtun Nationalism and the Threat of Greater Pashtunistan
In modern times, Pashtun extremist groups and nationalist movements, including the Taliban, advocate the creation of a so-called Greater Pashtunistan. This expansionist vision poses a serious threat to the Hazaras and other ethnic groups in the region, including Uzbeks, Turkmens, Tajiks, and Pakistani Balochs. The ambitions of these groups to control lands traditionally inhabited by Hazaras and others urgently require international attention and action to protect these vulnerable communities from further marginalization and violence. It highlights that.
Pashtuns enjoy a federal system in Pakistan that allows for political autonomy and representation, but any dialogue or movement towards so-called decentralization or federalism within Afghanistan has been criticized by Pashtun nationalists. It is often branded as “treason.” The current Taliban government is comprised solely of Pashtun men and is typical of exclusionary practices that undermine the rights of non-Pashtun communities and women. This regime’s alignment with Pashtunwali traditions and radical interpretations of Islam essentially disqualifies it from adequately representing the interests and rights of the Hazaras and other stateless nations.
The need for recognition and compensation
To address the historical injustices faced by the Hazara people, it is essential to formally acknowledge the genocide they have endured. Recognition serves as an important step toward justice, legitimizing the suffering of the Hazara people and reaffirming their right to exist and thrive as a distinct ethnic group. Recognizing the Hazara genocide is paramount to their healing, reparations, and restoration of their cultural heritage.
The British government played an important role in facilitating the circumstances of the Hazara genocide and has a moral obligation to apologize and make reparations to the Hazara people. Such actions acknowledge the grave injustices of the past and support efforts aimed at preserving Hazara culture, empowering communities, and promoting mental health support for people affected by intergenerational trauma. I’m going to do it.
International legal framework: Genocide Convention
The framework of international law, particularly the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, obliges the international community to protect vulnerable people and to hold accountable those responsible for such heinous acts. Article 2 of the Genocide Convention describes the specific acts that constitute genocide. These include:
Killing of members of the group: This includes the systematic extermination of the Hazaras in the late 19th century.
Causing serious physical or psychological harm: The psychological effects of the genocide on the Hazara community extend across generations, contributing to intergenerational trauma.
Deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to bring about the physical destruction of the group: the systematic marginalization of the Hazara people and the imposition of a false identity directly led to the erosion of their cultural identity and social status. I will make a contribution.
Coercive measures aimed at preventing births within the group: Historical and ongoing policies that restrict the reproductive rights of the Hazara community are a form of genocide.
Forcibly transferring children from one group to another: This reflects an ongoing practice aimed at erasing Hazara identity and culture. Examples include the reported taking of Hazara children into slavery in the 19th century in various cases, and the targeting of Hazara hospitals where newborns were primarily at risk. Can be mentioned. Such acts highlight the intention to destroy the continuity and traditions of the Hazara community.
The actions of groups such as the Pashtun-led government and the Taliban, along with their historic alliance with groups in Kochi, represent a sustained violation of the Genocide Convention. These organized crimes highlight the need for international intervention and accountability.
Recognizing the Hazara story: countering misrepresentation
In recent decades, the Hazara community has faced relentless persecution, while Pashtun governments and groups, including the Taliban, have engaged in a concerted campaign to misrepresent the Hazara story. Through misinformation and propaganda, these organizations seek to perpetuate a dominant narrative that obscures the reality of Hazara culture and history and distorts public perception.
Recognizing the Hazara story is essential to promoting social justice and understanding. It is essential to counter the misrepresentations that have historically plagued the Hazara people and to create spaces where their voices are heard and their experiences are validated.
conclusion
The Hazara genocide represents a deep and complex historical tragedy, intricately interwoven with British colonial interests and contemporary geopolitical struggles. Recognizing the Hazara genocide, addressing its psychological and cultural impact, and demanding accountability from those responsible are important steps toward justice and healing for the Hazara community. The international community must stand in solidarity with the Hazara people in their demand for justice, dignity and cultural protection, and heed their calls for recognition and accountability.
