COMMON ANALYSIS
Last update: May 2024

COI summary

Mainly in Tajik-dominated areas in the northeast provinces, it was reported that civilians have been subjected to house searches, arbitrary arrests, detentions, extrajudicial killings, torture and displacement because of perceived association with the NRF. Some sources identified an ethnic dimension in the targeting and identified ethnic Tajiks as prone to violations, also in Kabul City, while other sources have discarded such accounts [Country Focus 2023, 4.3.1., p. 67; 4.5.1., p. 83].

The Taliban have reportedly conducted reprisal attacks, including arbitrary arrests and killings of civilians in areas associated with resistance groups, mostly in Panjshir Province, but also in the provinces Baghlan, Takhar and in Daykundi [Country Focus 2023, 4.3., p. 65; 4.3.1. pp. 66]. Individuals originating from Panjshir Province have, according to several sources, been arrested in Kabul City for suspected links to NRF [Country Focus 2023, 4.3.1., p. 67].

Regarding the forced evictions of local communities, including Hazara, Tajik and Uzbek communities, in northeastern provinces as well as in Hazarajat, in favour of formerly displaced Pashtuns returning to their areas of origin and Kuchi nomads (also Pashtuns), a source noted that such a phenomenon could be attributed to the Taliban’s strategy aimed at gaining political and military control over these areas rather than for the purpose of ‘Pashtunisation’ of the country. It was reported that, even in provinces with a homogenous ethnic composition, such disputes have re-emerged, often along tribal or clan-based lines. However, forced evictions and displacement of minority groups were reportedly facilitated or tolerated by the de facto authorities, and in the disputes involving returning Pashtun (mainly Kuchis) refugees from Pakistan, local Taliban authorities reportedly sided with the Pashtun Kuchis leading to the local population, mainly Uzbeks and Tajiks, being evicted from their houses and lands [Country Focus 2023, 4.3.3., p. 69; 4.5.1., p. 83].

For further guidance on the targeting of the Tajiks linked to their perceived support and affiliation to the NRF, see 3.4. Individuals perceived as members or supporters of the National Resistance Front (NRF).

Conclusions and guidance 

   Do the acts qualify as persecution under Article 9 QD?   

Acts reported to be committed against individuals under this profile are of such severe nature that they amount to persecution (e.g. abduction, collective punishments, torture, execution).

   What is the level of risk of persecution (well-founded fear)?   

The individual assessment whether there is a reasonable degree of likelihood for the applicant to face persecution should take into account whether they would be perceived as having an affiliation to NRF, with Tajiks from Panjshir and Andarab district (Baghlan province) being particularly at risk. See 3.4. Individuals perceived as members or supporters of the National Resistance Front (NRF).

   Are the reasons for persecution falling within Article 10 QD (nexus)?   

Available information indicates that persecution of this profile is highly likely to be for reasons of (imputed) political opinion.