Following a string of attacks over the past several days that left almost 120 people dead and injured in the Afghan capital, Kabul, Amnesty International has urged the Taliban to step up measures to protect members of the Hazara Shia minority in Afghanistan.
Amnesty International’s South Asia regional researcher Zaman Sultani reacted to the series of explosions that resulted in over 120 deaths and injuries in the regions primarily inhabited by Hazara Shiite populations in west Kabul, calling on the Taliban to protect the Hazara Shiite community.
“The systematic attacks on the minority Hazara Shiite community in Afghanistan may amount to crimes against humanity and should be unequivocally condemned,” Sultani said.
He urged the Taliban to conduct a “thorough” probe into the explosion attacks that are by international standards and law.
“The Taliban are responsible to take all necessary measures for the protection of civilians in Afghanistan and they must immediately step-up measures to ensure protection to all civilians in the country”, Sultani stated in an Amnesty International press release on Monday.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for recent explosives and attacks that killed at least 120 people and targeted the Hazara minority, according to the United Nations on Sunday.
The attacks on the community took place in the month of Muharram, which is observed by Shia Muslims to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson.
The UN called for “greater security for minorities so that Ashura can be marked without further attacks” on the tenth day of the month, which is known as Ashura.
