Afghanistan: Information on the treatment of Tajiks in Kabul by the Taleban in 1998 and on whether Tajiks could safely live in the northern areas of the country
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 July 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | AFG29658.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Afghanistan: Information on the treatment of Tajiks in Kabul by the Taleban in 1998 and on whether Tajiks could safely live in the northern areas of the country, 1 July 1998, AFG29658.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab4214.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Documentary material on the treatment of Tajiks in Afghanistan between January and July 1998 is scarce because media reports usually refers to the Northern Alliance, the Rabbani or Massoud forces.
According to the Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, sources from the Hezb-e Harakat-e Eslami-e Afghanistan (Islamic Movement of Afghanistan) reported that sixty young men of Tajik and Hazar origin were imprisoned, tortured and killed by the Taliban in Kabul (23 June 1998).
The following information was provided during a 7 July 1998 telephone interview with the Director of the Centre For Afghanistan Studies (CAS) at the University of Nebraska in Omaha. The CAS publishes the Afghanistan Studies Journal. The director lived in Afghanistan between 1964 and 1974 where he was in charge of the Fullbright Foundation. He currently travels to Afghanistan regularly as a consultant on Afghanistan for the United Nations and the Department of State of the United States. The director was in Afghanistan in the Spring of 1998 where he travelled around Kabul and northern area of the country as part of a United Nations team.
The director stated that generally people who are suspected of supporting or being sympathizers of the Northern Alliance would be under tight surveillance from the Taliban security forces. Ethnic affiliation is not a primary reason for being targeted by the Taliban security forces; however, Tajiks living under the Taleban rules are careful and venture in the streets of Kabul with caution.
The director added that during his Spring 1998 visit to Afghanistan he met with many Tajik representatives in Kabul and the north and witnessed a significant number of Tajiks leaving for the northern areas under the control of the Northern Alliance. Tajiks can freely and safely live in the Northern Alliance areas.
The following information was provided during a 10 July 1998 telephone interview with a professor of Anthropology at Boston University who wrote two books and several academic articles on Afghanistan.
The professor stated that Tajiks in Kabul are under close surveillance because of the proximity of the frontline. However, Tajiks represent a large number of sub-groups and not all of them are targeted by the Taliban. Ethnic affiliation to the Tajik groups is not a primary reason for being targeted by the Taliban. For example, the Tajiks who would face difficulties in Kabul are usually young men of military age trying to enter or exit Kabul, while an old Tajik man or woman would not be targeted by the Taliban in Kabul.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Director, Centre For Afghanistan Studies (CAS), University of Nebraska, Omaha. 7 July 1998. Telephone interview.
Professor, Department of Anthropology, Boston University. 10 July 1998. Telephone interview.
Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran [Mashad, in Persian]. "Anti-Taleban Party Condemns Taleban 'Massacre' of Youth." (BBC Summary 26 June 1998/NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
Arabies [Paris]. 1998. Monthly.
Arab Law Quarterly [London]. 1998. Quarterly.
Arab Studies Quarterly [Lake Forest, Ill.]. 1998. Quarterly.
Asia Week. 1998
Asian Survey. 1998
Dialogue [London]. 1998. Monthly.
Keesing's Summary of World Events. 1998
Resource Centre Country Files: Afghanistan.
Jane's Intelligence Review. Monthly. 1998.
The Middle East [London]. 1998. Monthly.
Middle East International [London]. 1998. Bi-weekly.
Middle East Report [Washington]. 1998. Bi-monthly.
Monde Arabe Maghreb-Machrek [Paris]. 1998. Quarterly.
News From Middle East Watch [New York]. 1998.
Pointer. a newsletter published by the Jane's Group, London.
Electronic sources: IRB database, Global Newsbank, LEXIS/NEXIS, Internet, REFWORLD, WNC.
