Barcelona City Council Warns of Potential Hazara Genocide in Afghanistan
The Barcelona City Council, through an official declaration, has expressed concern over what it describes as the ‘danger of genocide’ against the Hazara community in Afghanistan. The council has called on the international community to take immediate and effective action to prevent escalating violence and protect civilians.
The declaration highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, systematic human rights violations, extensive restrictions on fundamental freedoms—particularly against women, girls, and minorities—and the absence of inclusive governance structures. The Barcelona City Council warned that the persistent pattern of violence against the Hazaras could be assessed under international law as serious international crimes, including crimes against humanity and genocide.
The council condemned all forms of ethnic and religious violence targeting Hazara citizens in Afghanistan and emphasized the need to end impunity for those responsible, demanding their accountability in international courts. The declaration states: ‘We cannot remain silent in the face of the systematic suffering of the Hazara people. The international community has a responsibility to act immediately to prevent the continuation of this situation and protect civilians.’
Moreover, the Barcelona City Council underscored the rights of victims to access truth, justice, reparations, and guarantees of non-repetition. It also announced its support for Hazara refugees through humanitarian policies and reception mechanisms.
The declaration urges the United Nations, the European Union, and other international bodies to establish or strengthen independent mechanisms to investigate and document crimes against the Hazara people, facilitate the prosecution of perpetrators in international courts, and implement urgent measures to prevent the continuation and escalation of violence.
This stance comes after a recent shooting targeting Shia civilians in Herat province at the end of the solar month of Hamal. The incident has raised fresh concerns about the security of religious and ethnic minorities under Taliban rule. Critics argue that the Taliban’s inability to ensure nationwide security and guarantee equal rights for all citizens has created conditions that enable such targeted attacks to continue.
