KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The European Union Delegation to Afghanistan has condemned the attack on Shiite civilians in Herat province.
In a post on X published yesterday (Saturday, April 11), the delegation wrote: “condemns all acts of terror against civilians, in any form and by any actor. Such violence is never justified. Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the heinous attack in Herat. We stand in full solidarity with all those affected.”
Yesterday afternoon, unidentified gunmen attacked Shiite civilians near a shrine belonging to Shiites in the “Dahmiri” area of Injil district in Herat and opened fire on them.
According to figures released by the Taliban’s Department of Information and Culture in Herat, 11 people were killed and eight others were wounded in the attack.
Local sources have reported higher numbers of casualties.
So far, no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Shiites and Hazaras in Herat have been targeted in similar armed attacks multiple times in recent years. In some cases, ISIS has claimed responsibility for these attacks.
This incident once again underscores the persistent threats faced by religious minorities in Afghanistan, particularly in regions where security remains fragile, and highlights the urgent need for effective measures to ensure their protection and prevent further acts of violence.
Under Taliban rule, religious minorities continue to face serious security challenges, with concerns over systematic discrimination, targeted violence, and lack of adequate protection remaining widespread.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have faced widespread accusations of discrimination against non-Pashtun ethnic groups and religious minorities, alongside restrictions on civil liberties, media operations, and public dissent.
A report published eight months ago by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) warned that the Taliban have effectively “eradicated” religious freedom in Afghanistan by enforcing a single interpretation of Islam and targeting individuals with differing beliefs.
The commission noted that religious minorities have been particularly vulnerable under these conditions, facing discrimination, persecution, and serious threats to their safety.
USCIRF also called for urgent international action, emphasizing the need for protection mechanisms and resettlement pathways for Afghans at risk.
It recommended that the United States expand refugee protections, including the establishment of a Priority 2 (P-2) program, to support members of highly threatened religious groups, while warning that returnees to Afghanistan could face severe risks such as arbitrary detention and punishment.
