Human Rights Violations and Structural Repression of Shia and Hazara Communities in Afghanistan

An analytical and documented report on religious restrictions, land disputes, targeted violence, and structural exclusion

September 2026 | Solidarity Network for Change and Sustainable Development (SNCSD)

Introduction

The human rights situation of Afghanistan's Shia population, particularly the Hazara community, has raised serious concerns since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. International organizations have documented forced displacement, extrajudicial killings, restrictions on religious practices, attacks on minorities, and the erosion of mechanisms for accountability.

Human Rights Watch documented the forced eviction of at least 2,800 Hazara residents from 15 villages in Daykundi and Uruzgan in September 2021. Amnesty International documented the unlawful killing of 13 ethnic Hazaras in Daykundi on 30 August 2021, including former security personnel and civilians. The UN Special Rapporteur has also reported attacks, evictions and marginalization affecting Hazara-Shia communities.

1. Restrictions on Religious Freedom and the Status of Shia Islam

Following the Taliban's return to power, concerns have increased regarding the legal status and religious freedoms of Shia communities and the position of Ja'fari jurisprudence.

Muharram and Ashura: USCIRF reported that, ahead of Muharram in 2024, de facto Taliban authorities imposed restrictions including bans on religious processions and ceremonies in public spaces and on raising Ashura flags. USCIRF also reported disruption of Ashura ceremonies in Kabul.

Religious education: International religious-freedom reporting has described restrictions affecting the teaching of Shia Ja'fari jurisprudence and Shia religious materials.

2. Land Disputes, Pressure on Local Communities, and Forced Displacement

Land disputes in central Afghanistan have a long history. Following the Taliban takeover, however, new cases of eviction and displacement affecting Hazara communities were documented. Human Rights Watch reported that the largest displacement it examined involved at least 2,800 Hazara residents from 15 villages in Daykundi and Uruzgan, with families leaving belongings and crops behind and, in many cases, lacking an effective opportunity to present their land claims.

Local complaints and civil-society reporting have also described continuing land disputes involving Hazara communities and Kuchi groups in parts of Bamyan, Ghazni, Behsud and Uruzgan. Because independent access is limited, some details concerning very recent incidents require continued documentation and corroboration.

3. Targeted Killings and Lack of Effective Accountability

Killings involving Hazaras and former security personnel: Amnesty International documented the unlawful killing of 13 ethnic Hazaras in Daykundi, including nine former members of the former government's security forces who, according to Amnesty's investigation, were extrajudicially executed after surrendering.

Attacks by ISKP: UN and human-rights reporting has repeatedly identified attacks on Hazara-Shia places of worship, educational facilities and other civilian locations. The UN Special Rapporteur has described the deteriorating situation of ethnic and religious minorities and called for further investigation of possible international crimes.

These circumstances raise serious concerns about effective protection and accountability for communities facing identifiable security risks.

4. Multiple Layers of Pressure on Hazara and Shia Women and Girls

The Taliban's extensive restrictions on women and girls affect women throughout Afghanistan. Hazara and Shia women may additionally face vulnerabilities associated with ethnic or religious identity and place of residence. Reports of enforcement of dress requirements, detention, threats and restrictions on women's civil activity require careful documentation, including disaggregated information capable of assessing any compounded impact on Hazara and Shia women.

5. Reduced Political and Administrative Participation

Afghanistan's political and administrative structure changed fundamentally after August 2021. Hazara and Shia representatives and civil-society actors have raised concerns about reduced meaningful participation in national and local decision-making. UN reporting has also described marginalization of ethnic and religious minorities. Such exclusion can affect not only political representation but access to decision-making concerning land disputes, security, justice and religious rights.

Conclusion

Available evidence shows that Hazara and Shia communities in Afghanistan face serious challenges including targeted violence, forced displacement and land disputes, restrictions on religious practice, marginalization and weak accountability mechanisms. Some incidents are extensively documented by international organizations, while independent documentation of some very recent events remains limited.

Determining whether particular conduct satisfies the legal elements of crimes under international law requires independent investigation, preservation of evidence and case-specific legal analysis. Continued independent documentation, investigation and accountability mechanisms therefore remain important.

Public Sources and References

1. Human Rights Watch — Afghanistan: Taliban Forcibly Evict Minority Shia (22 October 2021).
2. Amnesty International — Afghanistan: 13 Hazara killed by Taliban fighters in Daykundi province (5 October 2021).
3. OHCHR / UN Special Rapporteur — Afghanistan: UN expert warns human rights crisis presages authoritarianism (12 September 2022).
4. USCIRF — Religious Freedom under Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan, Country Update (August 2024).
5. Human Rights Watch — World Report 2026: Afghanistan.
6. Amnesty International — Afghanistan 2025/26: torture, arbitrary detention and discrimination against ethno-religious minorities.
7. Amnesty International — Statement to the UN Human Rights Council, 8 September 2026.

SNCSD Primary Sources

Interviews and direct communications conducted by SNCSD with families, individuals connected to relevant cases, and informed sources in Afghanistan, September 2026.

For security and source-protection reasons, identifying information concerning some sources is withheld.

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