Afghan citizens in Canada hold protest, urge recognition of Hazara genocide

Afghan citizens and human rights activists gathered in Toronto on Sunday, calling on the Canadian government and international organizations to officially recognize the ongoing violence against the Hazara community in Afghanistan as genocide. The protest, supported by Canadian civil society groups, highlighted the increasing attacks on Hazaras, a historically persecuted ethnic minority, since the return of the Taliban to power in 2021.

According to a resolution presented at the demonstration, over 294 attacks on Hazaras have been documented since 2001, resulting in more than 2,228 deaths and over 2,837 injuries. Protesters warned that violence has worsened significantly since the Taliban's resurgence, with 30 recent attacks killing 560 Hazaras and injuring 700 more. The extremist group ISIS-K has claimed responsibility for some of these attacks, including a recent massacre in Daikundi Province, where 14 Hazara villagers were killed.

Ali Ehsasi, head of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Canadian Parliament, attended the protest and expressed concern for the Hazara community. He assured protesters that Canadian officials, including the government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are closely monitoring the situation.

Demonstrators demanded that Canada, along with international human rights bodies, officially recognize the ongoing violence as genocide and cease all engagement with the Taliban, whose rule they claim has facilitated the resurgence of ethnic violence.

The Hazara community, long targeted for their ethnic and religious identity, has faced systematic violence for decades. Protesters called for urgent action to prevent further atrocities and ensure justice for the victims.