The Parliament of Catalonia in Spain has strongly condemned the “structural discrimination and systemic violence” against Hazaras in Afghanistan and called on the international community to establish independent mechanisms to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of these crimes.
In a statement, the parliament called for support for Hazara refugees and strengthened resettlement policies, highlighting the worsening situation in Afghanistan in recent years and the imposition of restrictions on the rights of women, girls, and ethnic and religious minorities.
The statement noted that Hazaras in Afghanistan have a long history of “exclusion, repression, discrimination, and organized violence” due to their ethnic and religious identity.
Referring to historical background, the statement mentioned the “first phase of widespread, systematic, and state-sponsored violence” against Hazaras during the late 19th century under the rule of Abdur Rahman Khan.
The Parliament of Catalonia also referenced a wave of violence against Hazaras in the years following 2001 and its further intensification during this period.
In part of its statement, the Parliament emphasized support for the rights of Hazara victims and refugees, including humanitarian protection, asylum policies, and resettlement mechanisms.
Catalonia’s Parliament has also called on the European Union and the United Nations to establish or support independent mechanisms for investigating and documenting crimes against Hazaras.
It is worth noting that earlier, the City Council of Barcelona in Spain also expressed concern over the situation of Hazaras in Afghanistan by passing a resolution and urged the international community to take immediate action to protect civilians and prevent further escalation of violence.
