East Staffordshire Borough Council Passes Motion Recognising Hazara Genocide and Ongoing Persecution by the Taliban.
In a historic decision, the East Staffordshire Borough Council has passed a motion officially recognising the 1891 Hazara genocide and condemning the ongoing persecution of the Hazara people by the Taliban. The motion, proposed by Councillor Syed Hussain, former Mayor of East Staffordshire, calls for recognition of the atrocities committed against the Hazara community in Afghanistan.
The motion acknowledges the systematic massacre and forced displacement of thousands of Hazara men, women, and children during the reign of Abdur Rahman Khan, the Emir of Afghanistan, from 1891 to 1893. The genocide, one of the darkest chapters in Afghanistan’s history, continues to impact the Hazara people, who have faced persistent persecution and marginalisation ever since.
In addition to recognizing the historical genocide, the motion strongly condemns the ongoing mistreatment of the Hazara community by the Taliban. Hazara civilians have faced violence, arbitrary detentions, torture, and killings, fueled by their ethnicity and religious beliefs. The Taliban’s actions have included attacks on Hazara civilians, destruction of Hazara property, and suppression of cultural and religious practices.
The East Staffordshire Borough Council has expressed deep concern over the continued persecution, including the recent violent attacks, forced displacement from ancestral lands, and the torture of innocent Hazara individuals. The Council views these actions as ongoing crimes against humanity, continuing the legacy of the atrocities that began in 1891.
The motion also calls on the UK Government to officially recognize the 1891 massacre as genocide and to support justice efforts for both historical and current atrocities. It urges the UK to collaborate with international partners to hold the Taliban accountable, protect the human rights of the Hazara people, and provide humanitarian aid to Hazara refugees fleeing the violence.
In an effort to raise awareness locally, the Council encourages the people of East Staffordshire to support the Hazara community, learn about their history and culture, and stand in solidarity with them in their ongoing struggle for survival and recognition.
Additionally, the Council has resolved to write to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, urging further diplomatic, legal, and humanitarian actions. The motion also calls for the establishment of educational initiatives in East Staffordshire to educate the public about the Hazara community’s plight and their ongoing struggle for justice.
This motion marks a significant milestone in the global recognition of the Hazara genocide and the continued efforts to support the Hazara community in their fight for justice and human rights.