Yet another incident showing the brutality of Taliban has come to light. At least nine men from the Hazara minority were tortured and killed by the terror group. Witnesses have given horrifying details of the murders, which occurred in Ghazni province in early July.
With Taliban trying to portray a more restrained image since taking over Kabul, Amnesty International, on the other hand, recalled the episode and said, “cold-blooded brutality of these killings is a reminder of the Taliban's past record, and a horrifying indicator of what Taliban rule may bring."
According to Amnesty International, nine Hazara men were massacred in the Malistan district of eastern Ghazni province between July 4 and 6.
When violence between government forces and Taliban fighters became more intense, many recall fleeing to the mountains. The Taliban had ransacked their homes and were waiting for them when some of them returned to Mundarakht to get food.
Additionally, some men were attacked while passing through Mundarakht on their way home to their village.
Six men were shot, some in the head, and three were tortured to death, according to reports.
Witness accounts
A 63-year-old man was strangled with his own scarf and had his arm muscles sliced off, according to witnesses. Another person's body was blown to bits.
Those with bruises and broken arms and legs were buried, while bodies were tossed into nearby creeks.
According to one eyewitness, the fighters were questioned about why they were committing such atrocities against their own people.
"When there is a conflict, everyone dies, regardless of whether they have guns or not. It's wartime," a fighter said.
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Who are Hazara minorities?
Hazara is Afghanistan's third-largest ethnic group which account for 9 percent of the country's population of 39.9 million people.
They primarily follow Shia Islam and have long suffered discrimination and persecution in Afghanistan and Pakistan, which are predominantly Sunni.
They have Mongolian and Central Asian ancestors. They are said to be descended from Genghis Khan and his army, who invaded Afghanistan in the 13th century.
Plea for help
"These targeted killings are proof that ethnic and religious minorities remain at significantly higher risk under Taliban rule in Afghanistan," said Agnès Callamard, secretary-general of Amnesty International.
“We urge the UN Security Council to adopt an emergency resolution demanding that the Taliban respect international human rights law, and ensure the safety of all Afghans regardless of their ethnic background or religious beliefs,” said Amnesty.
“The United Nations Human Rights Council must establish a strong investigative framework to document, collect, and preserve evidence of ongoing crimes and human rights violations in Afghanistan. This will be crucial in ensuring that the international community makes informed decisions and combating the injustice that continues to fuel grave crimes in the country.”