To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the threats posed to Hazaras in Afghanistan by attacks against their communities by Taliban fighters; and what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in Afghanistan on such threats.
Answered on
29 November 2018
We are concerned by reports of civilian casualties and displacement resulting from recent Taliban attacks in districts predominantly populated by Hazaras. We continue to monitor the situation closely, especially in Ghazni and Uruzgan districts. We understand that the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces are working to stabilise the security situation in both provinces.
The British Government continues to urge all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan to respect International Humanitarian Law, protect the civilian population and facilitate the provision of assistance by neutral and impartial humanitarian agencies. We urge the Government of Afghanistan to protect the rights of all ethnic and religious groups, including the Hazaras, in line with the Afghan constitution.