Barcelona City Council Warns of Genocide Risk Against Hazaras in Afghanistan, Urges International Action

The Barcelona City Council has issued a formal declaration warning of a potential genocide against Afghanistan’s Hazara community and calling for urgent international intervention. The resolution urges global accountability mechanisms and stronger engagement from the United Nations and European Union to safeguard vulnerable minorities.

According to the declaration, the council cited a deepening humanitarian crisis, systematic human rights violations, and severe restrictions imposed on women, girls, and minority groups. The statement calls for the establishment of independent investigative mechanisms to document abuses and ensure accountability for those responsible. It also advocates for expanded support and protection for Hazara asylum seekers and refugees.

The timing of the declaration follows consultations between Hazara civil society activists and political representatives in Catalonia. The council’s statement also comes amid heightened concerns over recent violence targeting Shia communities, including a shooting in Herat’s Injil district that left at least thirteen people dead. Reports indicate that the Taliban subsequently restricted a protest march organized to carry the victims’ bodies.

The resolution emphasizes the need for coordinated diplomatic pressure to prevent further atrocities and protect civilians. Council members stressed that ongoing violence and systemic discrimination could constitute crimes against humanity if left unaddressed. The declaration has been forwarded to international bodies, urging them to prioritize the protection of minority rights and facilitate humanitarian access across Afghanistan.