Persecuted Christians in Afghanistan and Pakistan experience extensive violence

We move to Afghanistan and Pakistan, two countries where being a Christian is a daily ordeal. In both countries, the Hazara, that is, Christian people, are persecuted by another ethnic majority tribe: the Pashtuns. This situation has caused Christian minorities to take refuge in various cities to try to protect themselves within the Christian community.

Currently, the threat level is so high that they are at risk of being lynched and beaten in the streets. Specifically, the situation in Afghanistan with the Taliban in power is increasingly dangerous, the Taliban persecute and massacre those who had collaborated with international military forces to prevent Christians from losing their rights in the country.

In this context, Professor Farooq Suleria explains that the Hazaras “are not welcome in Pakistan, they are not welcome anywhere, but above all, both the Taliban and Daesh attack Christians in different ways. For example, there is talk that the Hazaras have been driven from their homes and that their land has been distributed to the Taliban who have been fighting in Afghanistan for the last 20 years.” Their persecution “is an ongoing crisis that has lasted for 40 years” and that the international community must treat as an “urgent humanitarian issue.”

The only plausible solution, according to Sabal Gul Khattak, is the need to sign “agreements with countries where Hazara Christians are safe.” The asylum laws are there, we must make use of them in all countries”.