London Ministerial on freedom of religion or belief- side event on the situation of the Hazara held on July 6th
As The World Looks Away – The Targeting of the Hazara in Afghanistan and Pakistan
5:00 – 6:00 PM BST on 6th July 2022
Parliament, Committee Room 1
As predominantly Shia Muslims, members of the Hazara group in Afghanistan and Pakistan are often subjected to discrimination, marginalisation, and targeted attacks because of their ethnicity and religious affiliation. For well over a century, the Hazara have suffered persecution by the Afghan state as well as non-state actors including the Taliban, IS-K and other extremist groups. Over the last six years, attacks have increased, and extremist groups have targeted Hazara places of worship, schools, public gatherings, and even hospital and maternity wards across Afghanistan. The situation has only deteriorated after the Taliban takeover in August 2021. Similar treatment awaits the Hazara in Pakistan.
In response to the dire situation of the Hazara, cross-party Parliamentarians from both Houses established an ad-hoc inquiry into the situation of the Hazara in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Inquiry consisted of desktop research, oral hearings with experts and an open call for written submissions.
On 6th July, the meeting discussed the interim findings of the Inquiry
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Speakers included:
Baroness Helena Kennedy of The Shaws QC, Labour peer at the UK House of Lords, member of the Inquiry
Lord Alton of Liverpool, Crossbench peer at the UK House of Lords, member of the Inquiry
Dr May Homira Rezai, Chairwoman of Hazara Committee, UK
Dr Timor Sharan, LSE fellow.
