The fate of the Kurds and Hazaras in modern history bears an astonishing resemblance. Both ethnic groups have faced oppression, discrimination, and injustice throughout history. Despite enduring immense hardships, they have strived to preserve their identity, culture, and rights. Both people live in regions of the world often embroiled in political and military conflicts, and due to their geographic and ethnic positioning, they have consistently been subjected to oppression and deprivation. At the same time, both communities have stood firm against these pressures with remarkable resistance, persistently fighting for justice, freedom, and human rights.
The Situation of the Kurds
The struggle for Kurdish identity and freedom represents one of the largest stateless nations battles in the world. The Kurds inhabit mountainous regions known as “Kurdistan,” which is divided among four countries: Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. In each of these countries, the Kurds have faced various political, social, and cultural pressures. Their struggles for autonomy or even independence have consistently been met with severe governmental reactions. From civil wars in Iraq to severe crackdowns in Turkey and Iran, the Kurds have always engaged in armed and non-violent struggles for their rights. In Iraq, the era of Saddam Hussein’s rule was one of the darkest periods for the Kurds. The chemical attacks on Halabja in 1988, which claimed the lives of thousands of Kurds, are among the most horrific war crimes committed against these people. Moreover, ethnic cleansing policies and the mass deportation of Kurds during the Ba’athist regime in Iraq inflicted immense suffering on this community. With Saddam’s downfall and the establishment of the autonomous Kurdistan government in Iraq, the Kurds were able to regain some of their rights and powers, but these achievements have always been fraught with political, economic, and military challenges.
In Turkey, Kurds have endured decades of cultural and political suppression. The Kurdish language was banned in schools and media, and any attempt to promote Kurdish identity was met with severe repression. Even today, despite the reforms of recent decades, Kurds in Turkey continue to face significant difficulties in securing their rights.
The Fate of the Hazaras
Victims of discrimination and genocide, the Hazaras reside in Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan and are ethnically and religiously distinct from the majority. The Hazaras are predominantly Shia Muslims and racially linked to Scythian peoples, which has made them a target of discrimination and oppression throughout history. One of the darkest periods in Hazara history occurred during the rule of Emir Abdur Rahman Khan in Afghanistan in the late 19th century. During this time, the Hazaras were labeled as rebels and opponents of the government, and Abdur Rahman Khan launched large-scale military campaigns resulting in the genocide of the Hazaras. A significant portion of the Hazara population was killed or sold into slavery, and their lands were confiscated. This period is remembered as one of the most bitter chapters in Hazara’s history, with its impacts still felt by the community today. Even in modern times, Hazaras continue to face severe discrimination. During the first reign of the Taliban, the Hazaras were once again targeted in widespread religiously motivated attacks. Due to their Shia faith, the Taliban attacked the Hazaras, killing thousands of them. After the fall of the Taliban and the establishment of a new government in Afghanistan, Hazaras managed to participate to some extent in the political structure, but they continued to be treated as second-class citizens in many parts of the country. In recent decades, terrorist attacks on Hazara religious gatherings and communities, especially attacks on educational and religious centers, remain one of the significant challenges faced by this ethnicity. Most recently, fourteen civilians from this community were killed in Daykundi province.
One of the most striking similarities between the Kurds and Hazaras is the structural discrimination that both ethnic groups have faced throughout history. Due to their racial, linguistic, and religious differences, both groups have been marginalized by central governments and states. In both communities, struggles for equal rights have always been met with harsh reactions and violent suppression. Furthermore, both groups have experienced genocides and widespread military attacks. The Kurds in Halabja and the Hazaras during the reign of Abdur Rahman Khan and the Taliban witnessed genocides and mass killings. These bitter historical experiences have not only left deep scars on both people but have also had a lasting impact on their identity and culture. These experiences have driven both groups to fight more resolutely for the protection of their rights and identity, exerting tremendous effort in the pursuit of equal rights.
The shared fate of the Kurds and Hazaras in modern history reflects the inequalities, discrimination, and oppression faced by small, marginalized ethnic groups. Despite all the difficulties and challenges, both groups have managed to continue their resistance and preserve their identity and culture. These struggles are not only symbols of the power and determination of these communities but also serve as a lesson for the world today: justice, equality, and human rights for all individuals, regardless of ethnicity and religion, must be respected.
You can read the Persian version of this analysis here:
پیوندهای ناگفته؛ روایت سرنوشت مشترک کردها و هزارهها در مبارزه برای هویت و بقا
