March 15-16, 2025 – Vienna, Austria
Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the martyrdom of Ustad Abdul Ali Mazari, the Hazara diaspora community, hosted by the grassroots committee, convened a two-day Summit titled “Rethinking Collective Destiny” in Vienna, Austria.
Representatives from 54 social and cultural organizations worldwide, political parties of the Hazara community, and independent figures participated in this summit. Attendees engaged in discussions on key issues affecting the collective future of the Hazara people.
Topics of discussion included the political and administrative structure of Afghanistan post-Taliban, security challenges, ongoing advocacy for the recognition of the Hazara genocide, forced displacement and land confiscation, the situation of women, the preservation of cultural heritage, and migration challenges.
The primary goal of the conference was to foster unity among Hazara political and social forces, particularly within the diaspora, and to propose practical strategies for addressing crises and shaping a brighter future for the community.
Participants assessed the current situation of Hazaras in Afghanistan, emphasizing that Taliban rule poses a serious threat to national, regional, and global security. They called on the international community to use all legitimate political and legal means to change the current situation.
The conference declared the Taliban government “illegitimate” and expressed support for all forms of legitimate resistance to establish a decentralized political-administrative system based on the will of the Afghanistan people.
In their discussions and final resolution, participants stressed the necessity of meaningful Hazara representation in all political negotiations and decision-making processes related to Afghanistan, asserting that any political discourse excluding Hazara representatives is “unacceptable.”
Additionally, participants condemned religious extremism as a global security threat. As a community that has long suffered from ethnic and religious extremism, they emphasized the need to combat radicalism and promote peaceful coexistence. They also urged Hazara social and cultural organizations in the diaspora to collaborate with law enforcement authorities in host countries while preserving their cultural, linguistic, and historical identity alongside effective integration.
The issue of large-scale Hazara migration due to the ongoing situation in Afghanistan was another key discussion point. Participants called on all diaspora organizations to support newly arrived Hazara migrants and facilitate their integration into host societies.
A significant outcome of the conference was the agreement to establish a global network of the Hazara diaspora and to hold this gathering annually in a European country to assess the community’s situation.
Furthermore, participants agreed to organize a global protest in front of a major international legal and human rights institution to raise awareness about the Hazara genocide—from its origins under Amir Abdur Rahman to its continuation today. The planned protest will allocate one hour of sit-in demonstration for each year of persecution, discrimination, forced marginalization, and genocide against Hazaras. The details of this protest will be finalized in consultation with Hazara social and cultural institutions, independent figures, and human rights advocates.
On the second afternoon of the conference, a special ceremony was held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the martyrdom of Ustad Abdul Ali Mazari. The event featured speeches, musical performances, and the playing of commemorative songs, with a large public turnout.
Political and social figures, as well as young Hazara activists, delivered speeches in Persian and Deutsch language, discussing Ustad Mazari’s vision of Afghanistan and his advocacy for equal citizenship rights.
The conference concluded with the reading of a final statement and an action plan. It was decided that a follow-up committee would be formed to implement the conference resolutions and prepare for the second World Hazara Summit.
