Three years ago, on August 15, 2021, the world watched as Afghanistan fell into chaos. The internationally backed president, Ashraf Ghani, fled the country, marking the end of a 20-year conflict led by U.S.-led forces. This sudden withdrawal allowed the Taliban to seize control of Kabul and, subsequently, the entire nation. The consequences of this takeover have been dire for the whole nation, particularly for two groups: Women and the Hazara community.

Under Taliban rule, women in Afghanistan have faced a barrage of oppressive policies. The regime has systematically stripped women and girls of their basic rights, including access to secondary and tertiary education. Women are prohibited from working and travelling without a close male relative and have been denied the right to drive. Public punishments, including whipping and stoning, have resurfaced under the guise of Sharia law, further entrenching the regime’s draconian control over women’s lives.

The Hazara community, an ethnic and religious minority, has endured extreme violence and systematic dehumanization under Taliban rule. While all communities in Afghanistan have suffered tremendously, the Hazaras have been disproportionately affected due to their distinct ethnic and religious identity. Historically marginalized and persecuted, the Hazaras have faced renewed threats since the Taliban’s rise to power. The Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) and other extremist groups have intensified their attacks on the Hazara community, often with the Taliban’s apparent acquiescence or inability to provide protection. According to Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, hundreds of Hazaras have been killed in suicide attacks at educationcentress, marketplaces, religious places, and public transportation. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that 49 Hazaras were killed in the last quarter of 2023 alone.

In addition to ISKP’s targeted attacks, mysterious killings of Hazaras by unidentified perpetrators have exacerbated the security crisis, creating an environment of impunity for these assailants Also, the Taliban’s forced evictions of Hazaras from their homes and land in regions like Daikondi, Balkh, Uruzgan, and Helmand have compounded their suffering. Human Rights Watch documented these evictions, highlighting the Taliban’s systematic efforts to disenfranchise and displace the Hazara community.

Australia, as part of the international coalition in Afghanistan, has had a significant role and responsibility in responding to the crisis. Under the Morrison Coalition government, Australia announced approximately 31,500 humanitarian and family visas, one of the greatest commitments from the Coalition government. As an Australian citizen who arrived as a refugee, I was desperately needed to rescue my own family members but founded myself constrained by the bureaucratic hurdles and government inaction at the time.

Following the 2022 election, the Australian Labor Party came to power. The Albanese Labor government has continued to support the Coalition’s visa and support program, maintaining its promises. However, more needs to be done to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in the past four years, 8 million Afghan citizens have been forced to flee their country. This figure is in addition to the millions of Afghan asylum seekers who were already in other countries before 2021, many of whom are recognized as refugees by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Among these displaced individuals are Afghan refugees in Indonesia who have spent a decade in limbo. Due to a policy decision by Scott Morrison in 2014. A policy that tells, “anyone who registered in Indonesia after June 2014 is ineligible for Australia’s humanitarian refugee intake. This policy is neither fair nor humanitarian and needs urgent review to reflect Australia’s commitment to international refugee protection standards.

In conjunction with the visa announcement, the Morrison Government allocated a $27.1 million Afghan settlement support package to aid recent evacuees in integrating into their new lives in Australia. This funding was distributed among approximately forty organizations tasked with supporting newly arrived refugees. Despite these efforts, the support provided has proven insufficient and, in some cases, mismanaged. Many newly arrived refugees, whom I personally know, have struggled to access the benefits of these programs due to high demand and organizational inefficiencies. One critical area of concern is the provision of driving lessons, a crucial step in the resettlement and integration process. Access to driving education not only enhances employment opportunities but also fosters greater independence and mobility for refugees. The high demand and limited availability of these programs have left many new arrivals at a disadvantage, hindering their ability to participate fully in Australian society.

The Australian government must take further action to address these gaps and ensure that the settlement support programs are effectively managed and accessible to all refugees. This includes increasing funding, improving oversight, and expanding the availability of essential services such as driving education. Moreover, a thorough review of Australia’s refugee intake policies, particularly those affecting Afghan refugees in Indonesia, is imperative to uphold the principles of fairness and humanitarianism.

As we mark the third anniversary of the fall of Afghanistan, it is essential to reflect on the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the need for continued international support. The plight Afghan women and the Hazara community underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive and compassionate response. Australia, as a nation with a proud history of welcoming refugees, must do more to provide sanctuary and support to those fleeing persecution and violence. In conclusion, the fall of Afghanistan has had far-reaching consequences, particularly for women and the Hazara community. The Australian government’s response, while significant, requires further enhancement to address the ongoing challenges faced by Afghan refugees. By strengthening settlement support programs, reviewing restrictive policies, and upholding our humanitarian commitments, Australia can play a crucial role in providing hope and safety to those in need.