31.12.2003 - Source: Minorities at Risk

University of Maryland - Minorities at Risk: Risk Assessment ("Assessment for Tajiks in Afghanistan") [#30495],  [ID 1195]

"The Tajik-led Northern Alliance is unlikely to give up armed struggle any time in the near future, despite periodic military set-backs (REB 99-00=7). It has tenaciously held on to control of the extreme northeast regions of Afghanistan, managing to hold off successive waves of Taliban offensives. Even should this last remaining stronghold fall under Taliban control, the movement would likely revert to guerrilla warfare, based from remote and hard-to-access mountain regions.
Several factors militate against a politically negotiated settlement in the near future. Tajiks are regionally concentrated and strongly cohesive in their political organizations. Furthermore, the continuing repression by the Taliban of Tajik populations in Taliban-controlled areas encourages continued fighting. The Tajiks also enjoy external support, with Tajikistan providing supply lines (and allegedly, military supplies and funds) as well as diplomatic support. Other Central Asian republics, as well as Russia (which resents Taliban recognition of the breakaway Chechen government and fears the spread of Taliban-style Islamic militancy) have also supported the Northern Alliance.
Although attempts have been made to bring the different warring factions of Afghanistan to the table, peace talks have faltered. The Taliban has proven to be virtually impervious to international pressures for a political solution, a not-surprising position given their dominance on the ground in Afghanistan.
Tajik communities remain in a vulnerable position. Their condition is unlikely to improve much as long as the Taliban controls most of the country, and the situation of Tajik people – like that of most other peoples in the country – is likely to continue to deteriorate for the duration of the civil war, and perhaps beyond its conclusion.
However, Tajiks dominate in the internationally recognized government-in-exile. Should the Taliban fall, they would in all likelihood be the organizing force behind a new government. But, as the defection of Uzbek allies in 1996 indicated, Tajik power in the country is highly dependent on maintaining cohesive alliances with other ethnic groups. Demographically, Tajiks are not a plurality and must therefore rely on "swing" groups such as the Uzbeks and (potentially) Hazaras."

Document(s): Open document

18.05.2003 - Source: ReliefWeb

126 displaced Tajik families (533 people) voluntarily returned to Bamyan City ("Press briefing by Manoel de Almeida e Silva, UNAMA Spokesman 18 May 2003 (UNAMA)") [#12841],  [ID 1182]

"UNHCR facilitated the voluntary return of 126 displaced Tajik families (533 people) to Bamyan City, last weekend. This is a breakthrough minority return that we have been working on for the past year. The area, as you know, are majority Hazaras.

These Tajik families fled in mid-90s and some fled at the fall of the Taliban in late 2001. The group that returned last week came back from within the province of Bamyan, mainly in the northern districts of Khamard and Shibar. On arrival, each family received aid packages, including food, and 50 families have received tents as their homes had been destroyed.

We are planning to assist the return of another 150 displaced Tajik families to Bamyan this week from Baghlan province."

Document(s): Open document

07.03.2003 - Source: Danish Immigration Service

DIS: Uzbeks, Tajiks and Hazaras with previous affiliation to the Taliban ("The Political, Security and Human Rights Situation in Afghanistan: Report on fact-finding mission to Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan and Islamabad, Pakistan; 22 September - 5 October 2002") [#11326],  [ID 1184]

"According to the same source, in some areas Uzbeks, Tajiks and Hazaras also were affiliated with the Taliban. These people may also experience problems in their original regions depending on their family network. In order to avoid problems, it is necessary to have "insurance" on both sides in relation to family connections and social networks (cf. also section 4.5). The source further pointed out that many former Taliban fighters have now been picked up by and have affiliated with factions of the Northern Alliance, including groupings around Sayyaf."

Document(s): Open document

31.10.2002 - Source: UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan

Return to Bamyan ("Afghanistan Weekly Situation Report for Relief, Recovery and Reconstruction (25 - 31 October 2002)") [#9491],  [ID 1186]

"A large number of Tajiks have returned from mainly Darban in Kahmard to Bamyan during this reporting period. They are being assisted by UNHCR and Solidarite."

Document(s): Open document
unama_weekly_25_31_october2002.pdf

24.10.2002 - Source: UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan

Military-occupied houses of Tajik IDPs ("Afghanistan Weekly Situation Report for Relief, Recovery and Reconstruction (18 - 24 October 2002)") [#9490],  [ID 1185]

"To follow-up on the previously reported case of the military-occupied houses of Tajik IDPs, a visit to the village of Jograkhel was made to ascertain that all houses had been vacated by the military. The visit confirmed that all house in Jograkhel have been vacated and in 3 out of the 4 houses are occupied by the legitimate owners."

Document(s): Open document
unama_weekly_18_24_october2002.pdf

18.09.2002 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

UNHCR: Tajik IDPs in Ghandak and Jalmish are not willing to return to other districts of Bamyan Province due to security reasons ("UNHCR Sub-Office Central Region District Profiles: District Shibar (Bamyan)") [#7300],  [ID 1191]

"Shura Head: Mr Timur Shah
Composition: 7 members, all Hazaras
Court Location: Shumbul; Judges: Mr. Shaikh Mohammad Hossain and Mr. John Ali
Head of Police: Mr. Arbab Rajab
Police stations: 2 stations in Shumbul and Khalu respectively
Notes: Reportedly, the Tajik areas, namely Ghandak and Jalmish, have separate Shura and Court
Security: Tajiks reported acts of violence and harassment to their detriment. No reported problems for Shia, Ismailis and Sunnis.
Return: Tajik IDPs in the valleys of Ghandak and Jalmish are not willing to return to other districts of the Bamiyan Province due to security reasons. Most of the IDPs are displaced from within the Bamiyan province."

Document(s): Open document

10.09.2002 - Source: Danish Immigration Service

DIS: Tajiks in Bamyan province may face problems because of their expected political affiliation ("Political Conditions, Security and Human Rights Situation in Afghanistan. Report on fact-finding mission to Islamabad and Peshawar, Pakistan and Kabul, Afghanistan, 5-19 May 2002") [#8548],  [ID 1188]

"UNHCR-Geneva stated that there are examples of Tajiks in the Bamian province having problems related to their anticipated political affiliation in the past and not their ethnic background. The source said that in the central highlands and in Bamian province there has been a change of alliance between Wahdat, Massoud and Taliban forces. People who are suspected of having been affiliated with Tajik commandants (Massoud's forces) or the Taliban, may have problems. The source said that in the Saijhan and Kahmard districts in Bamian province there have been cases where people have been arrested for suspected affiliation with Tajik commandants. Moreover, family members of such people are put under pressure in these districts. The source also said that family members of people thought to have cooperated with the Taliban are subject to pressure and threats in Bamian province. UNHCR had no specific information on how many cases were involved."

Document(s): Open document

10.09.2002 - Source: Danish Immigration Service

Family members of persons with suspected Tajik or Taleban affiliation threatened in Bamyan province ("Political Conditions, Security and Human Rights Situation in Afghanistan. Report on fact-finding mission to Islamabad and Peshawar, Pakistan and Kabul, Afghanistan, 5-19 May 2002") [#8548],  [ID 1480]

"UNHCR-Geneva stated that there are examples of Tajiks in the Bamian province having problems related to their anticipated political affiliation in the past and not their ethnic background. The source said that in the central highlands and in Bamian province there has been a change of alliance between Wahdat, Massoud and Taliban forces. People who are suspected of having been affiliated with Tajik commandants (Massoud's forces) or the Taliban, may have problems. The source said that in the Saijhan and Kahmard districts in Bamian province there have been cases where people have been arrested for suspected affiliation with Tajik commandants. Moreover, family members of such people are put under pressure in these districts. The source also said that family members of people thought to have cooperated with the Taliban are subject to pressure and threats in Bamian province. UNHCR had no specific information on how many cases were involved.""

Document(s): Open document

09.08.2002 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Hazara and Hezb-e Wahdat said to attack and destroy Tajik and Pashtun villages in Bamyan (Hazarajat), creating fear among displaced and returnees from the region ("Militias Intimidate Refugees") [#8310],  [ID 1189]

"Residents of Jogra and other nearby Tajik and Pashtun villages, totalling 3500 families, fled after the fall of Taleban, concerned that Hazara fighters, who had previously been targeted by the student militia, would return to the area to wreak vengeance.
Their worst fears were realised in Jogra, one of 13 Tajik villages in Bamyan, with the village turned into ruins by the gunmen, members of one of the militias attached to the Hizb-e-Wahdat, the Hazara political party. Bamiyan, located in the heart of Afghanistan, has a population of 350,000 according to the 2002 government statistics. It consists of Hazara, Tajik and Pashtun tribes, which form 78, 20 and 2 per cent of its population, respectively.
[…]The continued presence of Hazara gunmen in the various districts of Bamyan has alarmed local residents and returning refugees who have complained vainly to the provincial governors and the Hizb-e-Wahadat leaders. They say the fighters are intimidating and show them little respect.
[…]
Despite the tensions, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has sought to help displaced people return to their homes. “In all about 1400 families, around 6700 people, many of whom fled to Iran and Pakistan, have returned all over Bamyan with our help,” said agency spokesman Nasir Fernandez."

Document(s): Open document

19.02.2002 - Source: New York Times

New York Times: Spontaneous return of mainly ethnic Tajiks ("Afghan Refugee Exodus Rises to 20, 000, UNHCR Says") [#5618],  [ID 1193]

Document(s): Open document