Protests by Afghan Residents in the U.S. Against the Massacre of Hazaras and the Suppression of Women by the Taliban

Dozens of Afghans residing in the United States gathered on Sunday, January 21, to condemn the 'genocide of Hazaras' and the detention of girls and women for their hijab by the Taliban government in Afghanistan, in front of the White House in Washington, D.C. Thousands of Afghans held similar protests in dozens of cities around the world and issued a joint statement urging the United Nations and countries worldwide not to engage with the Taliban and to condemn the 'genocide of Hazaras' and 'gender apartheid' in Afghanistan. The statement described the widespread detention of Hazara women and girls by the Taliban under the pretext of their clothing as inhumane. It also emphasized that after the Taliban came to power, Hazaras were once again completely excluded from government and military institutions. Giso Yari, a women's rights activist and one of the organizers of the protest, told Voice of America that the main goal of this gathering is to raise our voices for the girls who are imprisoned by the Taliban and also for the 'genocide of Hazaras' in Afghanistan. Simin Samadi, a women's rights activist and one of the participants in the Washington protest, also told Voice of America that the world has not taken serious action in response to the ongoing protests of Afghans inside and outside the country, but she remains determined to continue her protests. These protests were also held in Germany, France, Sweden, Spain, and several other countries. Simultaneously with these protests, some protesting women inside Afghanistan, including in Takhar and Kabul, also held similar protests in closed locations. Hazaras in Afghanistan, most of whom are Shia, say they have been targeted in deadly attacks 'in a targeted manner' in recent years. The UN special envoy to Afghanistan expressed concern in a 2023 report that Shia Muslims in Afghanistan face dangers. Last September, a research report from the British Parliament was published, warning of severe discrimination against the Hazara minority in Afghanistan and stating that this Shia ethnic minority is at risk of genocide by the Taliban and ISIS.