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By Kobra Moradi
License: RWI report
The ongoing land conflict between the sedentary Hazara and nomadic Kuchi populations in Afghanistan’s central highlands, known as ‘Hazarajat,’ has a long and complex history, typically underpinned by competing historical narratives and skewed state interventions. Since the return of the Taliban, this conflict has intensified–marked by increasing land ownership claims from nomadic pastoralists, escalating tensions over access to pasturelands, and instances of forced eviction and displacement of settled Hazara communities. This report examines the dynamics of this conflict under the Taliban, providing historical context, exploring the communities’ relationships with land, and highlighting the human rights impacts and the Taliban’s approach to resolving these disputes.
The research reveals increased tensions over land and water in Hazarajat under the Taliban. Since 2021, nomads have gained greater access to Hazarajat, resulting in overgrazing and destruction of local people’s property, including crops. There has also been a rise in property ownership claims by nomads. In some provinces, nomads have asserted territorial claims over entire villages. These claims often rely on historical farmans (royal decrees), which the Hazaras do not recognize as legitimate. The rise in nomadic presence in the region has increased tensions with sedentary populations that are concerned about overgrazing of pastures that they depend upon, damages to pastural and agricultural resources, the loss of their ancestral homes and land, and their general security. The historical memory of past atrocities and ongoing displacement have deepened Hazara fears of continued dispossession and further territorial loss. From the perspective of nomads, they are reclaiming grazing lands that they believe are rightfully theirs based on historical decrees, arguing they have been unjustly denied access in the past few decades.
The report highlights that the Taliban’s approach to this conflict has worsened the situation. The Taliban has adopted several methods. First, establishing three dispute resolution commissions in Bamiyan, Maidan Wardak, and Ghazni. Second, handling some cases with ad hoc bodies, often referred to as commissions, presenting this as a traditional musaliha process. Third, imposing decisions by local authorities, including district and provincial governors. Fourth, referring certain cases to local courts.
Key words: Afghanistan; land conflict; forced eviction; displacement; water; nomads; Hazara; Taliban; conflict resolution; access to justice; due process; equality; human rights; arbitrary detention