The Cost of Historical Neglect: Analyzing the Vulnerability of Hazaras Without Documented Histories in Afghanistan

ABSTRACTThis thesis critically examines how the Afghan state's systematic erasure—or epistemicide—of Hazara history perpetuates the community’s socio-political vulnerabilities. Utilizing extensive archival research, qualitative interviews with Hazara elites, and personal lived experiences, the research demonstrates that the deliberate suppression of Hazara historiography serves as structural violence, legitimizing ongoing marginalization and persecution. Aligning explicitly with insurgent historiographical traditions from Black Studies, the thesis positions the reconstruction and reclamation of an indigenous Hazara history as a radical act of resistance against epistemic oppression. The findings illustrate clear parallels between Hazara experiences of historical erasure and global patterns of marginalized communities' epistemic injustices, emphasizing the necessity of addressing historical recognition explicitly within national and international human rights frameworks. By proposing concrete policy recommendations—including formal acknowledgment of historical genocides, comprehensive hate crime legislation, educational reforms incorporating indigenous narratives, and enhanced international protections—the thesis underscores historical reclamation as essential not only for Hazara community empowerment but also as a foundational element of broader global movements toward equity, inclusivity, and social justice.