“HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFGHANISTAN: UNVEILING THE CRISIS AND FOCUSING ON THE HAZARA GENOCIDE WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE 1948 CONVENTION ON COMBATING GENOCIDE”

AUTHOR – REHAN KHAN, SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW AT ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY, ALIGARH, (INDIA)

BEST CITATION – REHAN KHAN, HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFGHANISTAN: UNVEILING THE CRISIS AND FOCUSING ON THE HAZARA GENOCIDE WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE 1948 CONVENTION ON COMBATING GENOCIDE, ILE MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL, 2 (1) OF 2023, PG. 56-63, APIS – 3920 – 0007 | ISSN – 2583-7230.

ABSTRACT

This research paper critically examines the ongoing human rights crisis in Afghanistan, with a particular emphasis on the Hazara genocide, and explores the relevance and applicability of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in addressing these atrocities. Afghanistan, a nation marred by decades of conflict and instability, has witnessed a multitude of human rights abuses, but none as relentless and pervasive as the systematic persecution and violence inflicted upon the Hazara ethnic minority.

The paper begins by providing a historical context to the Hazara people’s plight, tracing their persecution to centuries-old ethnic, religious, and political divisions within the region. It then delves into contemporary accounts of discrimination, mass killings, and displacement that have intensified since the U.S. withdrawal in 2021, painting a bleak picture of their current situation.

Subsequently, the paper analyses the 1948 Convention on Genocide and its potential to address the Hazara genocide within the framework of international law. It scrutinizes the Convention’s definition of genocide, the obligations of signatory states, and the role of international bodies, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC), in holding perpetrators accountable. Furthermore, the research explores the challenges and limitations of applying the Convention to the Afghan context, including issues related to jurisdiction, sovereignty, and the role of non-state actors.

This paper argues for increased international attention and action to address the ongoing human rights crisis in Afghanistan, particularly the Hazara genocide, by leveraging existing legal frameworks such as the 1948 Convention on Genocide. It underscores the urgency of providing protection and justice to the Hazara people while highlighting the broader implications of inaction in the face of such atrocities for the international community’s commitment to upholding human rights and preventing genocide.

Keywords: Human Rights, Afghanistan, Hazara Genocide, Ethnic Minorities, Conflict, Accountability