Between a rock and a hard place: The Hazaras in Afghanistan

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orfonline.org: As the Taliban solidifies its footing in Afghanistan, we witness a significant increase in the persecution of minority communities such as the Hazaras –  Soon after coming to power, the Taliban blew up the statue of the Hazara leader Abdul Ali Mazari in Bamiyan—a blow to any hope of moderation towards minorities. Reports about forced relocation and the Hazaras’ evictions from their ancestral lands and the land being given to the Taliban’s supporters also cropped up. They were removed from the Daykundi, Uruzgan, Kandahar, Helmand and Balkh provinces on short notice with no recourse to any legal redressal. Nearly 2,800 Hazara residents were evicted from 15 villages in Daykundi and Uruzgan in September 2021. This strategy of forcibly taking the Hazaras’ lands has been historically used to subjugate the group. Under the pretence of reform to build an Islamic system created by and for the Taliban, ethnic Hazaras were also excluded from the government’s bureaucracy and the judiciary. They only received token representation in the political setup, with Mawlawi Mehdi Mujahid being the only Hazara appointed as an intelligence chief of a central province when the group gained power. Mujahid was subsequently killed in August 2022 allegedly for rebelling against the Emirate. The group has also been targeting members of the community they perceive as a threat, with extrajudicial killings reported since they usurped power. Click here to read more (external link).

TTP may return to negotiation table: Pakistani media

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Khaama: Pakistani media reports amidst unprecedented tensions and insecurity in the country have indicated efforts to resume negotiations with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have begun. Express Tribune, in a report released yesterday, revealed that the de facto authorities of Afghanistan have once again shown a green light for de-escalation and revival of talks between the Pakistani government and the TTP. Citing Maulana Yousaf Shah, an influential cleric of Haqqania Seminary and member of Pakistan Ulema Council, the report states that Serajuddin Haqqani, the acting Interior Minister of the Taliban, has also signaled a green light towards reviving talks, leaving Pakistanis “hopeful of a positive outcome.” Click here to read more (external link).

Afghanistan calls for opening economic office in Chabahar Port

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Tehran Times: Earlier, a technical-economic delegation of the Taliban government arrived in Iran’s Chabahar port to break the ground for the construction operation of some trade and residential projects. The Taliban’s trade ministry had previously revealed the visit of the technical delegation to Iran aimed at boosting the transit cooperation and the development of economic ties. For Afghanistan, Iran’s Chabahar Port can replace ports in Pakistan that are currently used for import and export activities. Click here to read more (external link).

The Horrific State of Women in The Taliban Prisons Across Western Afghanistan

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8am: The Hasht-e Subh Daily’s investigation into the situation of female prisoners across five western provinces of Afghanistan reveals alarming conditions. Women detainees face arbitrary arrests on “baseless” charges and endure torture in Taliban-run prisons. Presently, approximately 340 women are incarcerated in these facilities across the five provinces, primarily accused of making phone calls to men. The prisons exhibit inappropriate conditions, poor nutrition, hygiene deficiencies, limited medical care, and instances of misconduct by guards. Female inmates lack professional female supervision, are shackled during medical transfers, and have restricted communication with their families. These challenges underscore the deprivation of necessities within the prison system. The report highlights that all female prisons are overseen by Taliban military commanders, with no female involvement in management. To protect identities, pseudonyms are used in the report due to security concerns. Click here to read more (external link).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported an increase in measles cases over the past two months.

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Khaama: The organization stated on Sunday, March 4 that children under five years old constitute 80% of the suspected measles cases. According to the World Health Organization’s report, more than seven thousand suspected cases of measles were registered in the country in just the first two months of the current year, with 29 deaths reported. Severe winter colds and inadequate coverage of immunization programs have been cited as factors contributing to the increase in this disease. Click here to read more (external link).

Rising Incidence of Pneumonia and Malnutrition in Nimruz Province

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8am: As temperatures drop, pneumonia and malnutrition cases among children under five have risen in Nimruz Province. Families cite insufficient healthcare facilities and food scarcity, blaming long-standing unemployment. They contend that limited job opportunities and low incomes expose their children to illnesses. Doctors in the province emphasize that cold weather, poor nutrition, and economic hardships contribute to the spike in pneumonia and malnutrition cases among children. Click here to read more (external link).

Taliban Administer Public Whipping in Sar-e Pul Province

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8am: The Taliban’s Supreme Court recently confirmed the administration of a public whipping as punishment for alleged “immorality” in Sar-e Pul Province. In a statement released on Sunday, March 3rd, the Taliban’s Supreme Court disclosed that the aforementioned individual underwent the whipping in the presence of local Taliban officials, relatives of the accused, and select members of the Taliban court in Sar-e Pul Province. Click here to read more (external link).