Launch of Parliamentary Friends of the Hazaras
Today in Canberra the Parliamentary Friends of the Hazara group will be launched by Dr Andrew Charlton MP (Chair), and Ms Kylea Tink MP (Co-Chair) and Members of Parliament and Senators across the political spectrum.
The first meeting of the Parliamentary Friends of Hazara comes at a crucial time for the Hazara people as they continue to face a dramatic escalation of violence, forced displacement, dispossession, and systemic cultural, civil and political repression since the Taliban took over Kabul in August 2021.
The dramatic escalation of violence experienced by the Hazara community in Afghanistan, was again highlighted by the attack on Kaaj Academic Learning Centre late last year in a predominantly Hazara neighbourhood of Kabul. In the attack 54 people were killed and 112 people injured, mostly school-aged Hazara girls and boys.
Following this attack, and in the absence of any protection for their families and communities back in Afghanistan, the Hazara-Australian community have turned to the Australian government with the hope they will provide some measure of protection for their loved ones in Afghanistan.
After two decades of military involvement in Afghanistan, which included a promise to protect minorities, the Australian government has a moral obligation to ensure the safety of the Hazara community.
At a time when the Taliban continue to act with impunity, the Hazara community in Australia hopes that the establishment of the Parliamentary Friends of Hazara will provide a continued spotlight on the escalating violence experienced by the people living under Taliban rule.
Dr Andew Charlton MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Hazaras”
“The launch of this Parliamentary Friendship Group marks a new phase in the fight for greater recognition of Hazara oppression and persecution. The members of this group are bound by a shared vision to help end the persecution and oppression of religious and ethnic minorities in Afghanistan. I am encouraged to see so many of our country’s representatives advocating for the Hazara community on the national stage.”
Ms Kylea Tink MP, Co-Char of the Parliamentary Friends of Hazaras”
“I will work towards a more inclusive and truly multicultural Australia through this Friendship Group. I want to see real inclusion; relationships formed, and bridges built between our Hazara community, our fellow Afghan communities, and our Australian Parliament. I will also strive to see the needs of these communities better represented and included in national conversation.”
Sitarah Mohammadi, Hazara-Australian and JD Candidate:
“Australia is home to thousands of Hazaras, and the formation of Parliamentary Friendship Group is a positive step forward in the fight for recognition of the ongoing, systematically targeted nature of genocidal atrocities against the Hazara people. We urge our federal representatives to robustly advocate for the urgent needs of Hazaras in Afghanistan, including protection mechanisms for Hazaras inside Afghanistan, priority for humanitarian protection visas, and an equitable approach to aid distribution in the country.”
Zohal Azra - Hazara-Australian and Co-founder of Huma Media (Community Media):
“Hazaras have historically faced immense persecution and discrimination, however, this did not stop them from scoring the highest university marks, representing Afghanistan in the international stage in terms of sports, culture, music and the arts. .
We welcome the launch of the Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Hazaras, and look forward to working closely with the members of the Australian parliament on urgent issues affecting Hazaras in Australia and Afghanistan.”
Sajjad Askary, Hazara-Australian and JD Candidate:
:The formation of this Friendship Group is a step in the right direction. The Hazara people face a real threat to their lives and survival as the Taliban's grip on power and control in Afghanistan tightens. The Hazaras have a tragic history with the Taliban regime, and the Hazara community in Australia hopes that the Parliamentary Friends of Hazaras will work to address the immediate needs of Hazaras in Afghanistan under the Taliban's violent rule.”
Arif Hazara, Australian Hazara, and Secretary of Akademos Society Inc:
“Australian Hazaras are one of the most successful refugee and multicultural communities in Australia. In spite of the challenges, our community have worked hard to contribute back to our adopted home; reviving once decaying suburbs such as Dandenong in Melbourne’s South East or Prospect Road in South Australia into thriving and prosperous communities (to name a few), and standing by our fellow Australians during our difficult times such as the 2019 summer bushfires when our community not only raised hundreds of thousands of dollars but also sent dozens of volunteer tradies to affected areas to assist with recovery work. Through the Parliamentary Friendship of the Hazaras, we aim to achieve better policy outcomes for the community by working closely with the Australian parliamentarians and the Government.”
Media Contact:
Email: HazaraAdvocacyAU@gmail.com