The Hazara peoples’ struggle for social and political rights in Afghanistan: the case of the enlightenment movement

This article uses the ‘epistemic injustice’ theory to analyse the ongoing struggle of the Hazaras in Afghanistan. The Hazaras have experienced multiple forms of epistemic injustices, including political marginalization, social discrimination and cultural repression throughout Afghanistan’s contemporary history. The article provides an account of the historical, socio-cultural and political aspects of violence inflicted upon the Hazaras in Afghanistan to provide a trajectory of their conditions. The article builds an understanding of how the Hazaras understand their experiences, resist oppressions and organize for peace with justice through their biggest social movement – The Enlightenment Movement. The article argues that this movement had significant implications for social activism in Afghanistan. The article highlights how epistemic injustices can be addressed to undermine the barriers to peace and justice in the country.