The families of the victims of the Yakawlang district “massacre” in Bamiyan province said they want their voices to be heard in the peace process and that those involved in such crimes should not be granted immunity when it comes to ensuring justice in the peace efforts. 

According to Amnesty International, the incident happened in Yakawlang district, Bamiyan province, in 2001 and 100 to 300 people were “killed by the Taliban” when members of the group overran the district. 

“We hope that the peace negotiations end the bitter season of violence and bloodshed,” said Abul Mohsin Yasir, head of the Harakat-e-Islami Wahid Afghanistan party. 

“The government should be asked to make an unprecedented gesture toward Yakawlang,” said Rahmatullah Bezhanpoor, a university lecturer. 

The suggestion comes amid peace negotiations in Doha that are underway between the negotiators of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban.  

Najiba Husaini, who lost her brother and some other relatives in the incident, said they are tired of violence in the country and that a just peace should be ensured in Afghanistan. 

“Peace should be just. Martyrs’ families should be involved, and their demands should be addressed to hold the Taliban responsible for the ‘oppression’,” Husaini said. 

“Peace should be dignified in which human rights, freedom of speech, the rights of victims' families and women’s rights are ensured,” said Sayed Jawed Shakibzada, member of a victim family. 

The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission meanwhile stressed the need for ensuring the rights of victims’ families in the peace process. 

“A just and enduring peace can be ensured when victims' rights are considered during the talks and their families are contacted directly and indirectly,” said Naeem Nazari, the deputy head of the commission.