Seizure of Lands and Residential Settlements, Private Detention Facilities, and the Gradual Exclusion of Hazaras and Shias in Afghanistan
An analytical report on recent land rulings, detentions of Shia representatives, and closures of religious and cultural institutions
Methodological Note
This report distinguishes among official decisions, media reports attributed to named or confidential sources, and information collected directly by SNCSD. Recent allegations that have not been independently established are presented as allegations rather than verified facts. Identities of some primary sources are withheld for security reasons.
Introduction
Recent developments in Kabul and Ghazni have raised concerns among Shia and Hazara communities regarding housing and property rights, detention of community representatives, and the operation of religious and cultural institutions. Some developments are confirmed in official Justice Ministry decisions; other details are based on recent media reporting and primary-source accounts and remain subject to further verification.
1. Land rulings affecting populated urban settlements
Omid-e-Sabz, Kabul
In an official announcement published in August 2026, the Taliban-controlled Ministry of Justice said a special court had ruled that 1,507.49 jeribs of land known as Omid-e-Sabz township in Kabul's sixth and thirteenth districts was state/emirate land. The ministry said the land had been cadastrally registered in the state's name and had not been transferred to natural or legal persons. The practical consequences for individual residents and competing property claims require case-specific examination of deeds and court records.
Nawabad, Ghazni
The Ministry of Justice separately announced that a special court had determined approximately 1,843 jeribs of land in Nawabad township in Ghazni city to be emirate land. The ministry stated that the decision followed review of documents, property records and information from relevant authorities. Residents' individual ownership claims and procedural objections should be assessed separately rather than inferred solely from the ministry's announcement.
2. Detention of Shia commission representatives
On 14 September 2026, Amu TV reported, citing sources within the commission and Shia representatives, that Mohammad Ali Akhlaqi and several members of a commission representing Afghanistan's Shia community had been detained after Justice Ministry personnel entered the commission's office. At the time, Taliban authorities had not publicly explained the reasons for the detentions.
On 24 September, Amu TV reported, citing three sources including a relative of Akhlaqi, that Akhlaqi and several colleagues had been released after nine days. The report said sources alleged that release conditions included vacating Akhlaqi's home in Omid-e-Sabz, ending commission activities and providing guarantees. These conditions have not been independently established through a publicly available court or ministry document.
Recent reports have also contained allegations that detainees were held in a facility associated with the Justice Ministry or the justice minister. Claims concerning mistreatment, coercion or forced confessions require independent investigation. SNCSD does not present those allegations as established facts without corroborating evidence.
3. Closures of Shia religious and cultural institutions
On 22 September 2026, Amu TV reported, citing residents, that Justice Ministry personnel closed the Khatam al-Anbia religious school and scientific-cultural complex in western Kabul and detained four people. Residents told the outlet that officials described the reason as alleged “anti-emirate activities”; the ministry had not publicly provided detailed evidence addressing those allegations in the cited report.
Reports have also described actions affecting other Shia educational, cultural and media institutions. Because information is developing rapidly, each closure, seizure or detention should be documented separately, with the responsible authority, legal basis, affected property and status of detainees identified where possible.
4. Property rights, due process and community security
The combination of large urban land rulings, reported detention of community representatives and restrictions on institutions raises questions concerning due process, access to remedies, security of tenure, freedom of religion and association, and protection against arbitrary detention. Whether particular acts violate domestic or international law depends on the facts and applicable legal standards in each case.
Conclusion
Official records confirm major land rulings concerning Omid-e-Sabz and Nawabad. Recent media reports also document detentions and closures affecting Shia representatives and institutions, while some more serious allegations remain dependent on source testimony and require independent corroboration. Continued preservation of property records, court decisions, witness accounts and detention information is therefore essential for credible future investigation.
Public Sources
- Afghanistan Ministry of Justice — Omid-e-Sabz land decision, August 2026
- Afghanistan Ministry of Justice — Nawabad, Ghazni land decision
- Amu TV — detention of Mohammad Ali Akhlaqi and commission members, 14 September 2026
- Amu TV — report on releases and alleged conditions, 24 September 2026
- Amu TV — closure of Khatam al-Anbia complex, 22 September 2026
- Etilaatroz — detention of Mohammad Ali Akhlaqi and commission members, 14 September 2026
- 8am — sources on detention inside the Ministry of Justice, 14 September 2026
- Afghanistan International — detentions and Omid-e-Sabz housing demands, September 2026
- Etilaatroz — release, head shaving and reported torture, 24 September 2026
- Etilaatroz — reported dissolution of the Supreme Shia Commission, 21 September 2026
- Human Rights Watch — World Report 2026: Afghanistan
- Amnesty International — Afghanistan 2025/26
SNCSD Primary Sources
Direct communications and interviews conducted by SNCSD with affected families, residents and informed sources, September 2026. Identifying information is withheld where disclosure could create security risks.