The Barcelona City Council has expressed grave concern over what it describes as ongoing and systemic human rights violations affecting the Hazara community in Afghanistan, calling on the international community to take immediate and decisive action to protect civilians and prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.
In a formal statement issued on Friday, the Council highlighted reports of persistent violence, discrimination, and severe restrictions on fundamental freedoms across Afghanistan, with particular impact on women, girls, and ethnic and religious minorities.
The Council warned that the continued targeting and vulnerability of the Hazara community may, under international legal frameworks, constitute serious international crimes, including crimes against humanity, and may present risks consistent with patterns associated with genocide. It strongly condemned all forms of violence and persecution based on ethnic and religious identity and demanded accountability for those responsible.
The statement stressed that impunity for such violations must not be allowed to continue, and called for urgent international intervention to protect civilian populations and uphold human rights obligations.
Reaffirming its commitment to human dignity and international justice, the Council emphasized that victims must be guaranteed access to truth, justice, reparations, and protections against future harm. It also expressed support for Hazara asylum seekers and displaced individuals seeking international protection.
Barcelona City Council called on global institutions, including the United Nations and the European Union, to intensify their engagement in Afghanistan. It urged the establishment or strengthening of independent investigative mechanisms to document alleged abuses, support accountability processes, and ensure that perpetrators of serious violations are prosecuted under international law.
The Council further warned that continued inaction by the international community could result in deeper humanitarian crises and irreversible harm to vulnerable populations.
Officials reiterated that the protection of human dignity and minority rights remains a core international obligation and a foundational principle of Barcelona’s global human rights commitments.
The statement follows a series of engagements between Hazara civil society representatives, political activists, and members of Catalan political institutions, aimed at raising international awareness and mobilizing stronger political and humanitarian responses.
