Yesterday, on Monday 17th February 2025, a momentous day unfolded for the Hazara community across the UK as East Staffordshire Council made history by becoming the first council in Europe to officially recognise the Hazara genocide of 1891-1893. This recognition marks a significant milestone in the acknowledgment of these atrocities as genocide and is a monumental step towards justice for the Hazara people.
While this is a considerable achievement, it is just the beginning. We urge all councils throughout England to follow East Staffordshire’s lead and formally recognise the Hazara genocide. Acknowledging the past is crucial to building a future free of injustice, and this recognition paves the way for greater awareness and understanding of the struggles faced by the Hazara community.
This historic acknowledgment is the result of over two years of tireless effort by the Burton Hazara Society, whose unwavering dedication to advocating for the Hazara cause has brought this issue to light. Their work, alongside the Hazara Committee UK and civil society organisations worldwide, has been instrumental in achieving this significant breakthrough.
As the Director of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hazaras, I will continue to work closely with my Parliamentary colleagues, including Chair Rosie Duffield MP, to push for the UK government’s recognition of the genocide. Together with civil society, we will keep advocating for the recognition of both the historic and ongoing struggles of the Hazara people.
This victory is a powerful reminder that advocacy, persistence, and unity can bring about meaningful change. Let this be a call to action for other councils and governments to stand in solidarity with the Hazara community and ensure that the injustices of the past are neither forgotten nor repeated.
