Table of Contents
- About the Hazara Cultural House
- From Executive Board
- Core Activities
- Advocacy and Human Rights
- Cultural and Diversity
- Networking and Integration
About the Hazara Cultural House
The Suomen Hazaroiden Kulttuuriyhdistys ry founded by social, cultural and human rights activist of the Hazara community in Finland. The association was officially registered with the Finnish Patent and Registration Office (PRH) under Y-tunnus:3416109-9 on January 4, 2024.
The Suomen Hazaroiden Kulttuuriyhdistys ry is a cultural association committed to preserving and promoting Hazara heritage and culture in Finland. The organization actively supports the integration and well-being of Hazara immigrants, with a particular emphasis on raising awareness about their circumstances, especially in Afghanistan. Through cultural events, discussions, and celebrations, it provides a platform for the Hazara community to connect, share their stories, and strengthen their identity.
In addition to cultural promotion, the association advocates for human rights and fosters solidarity across multicultural communities. With a deep commitment to cultural exchange, diversity, and the empowerment of marginalized groups, Suomen Hazaroiden Kulttuuriyhdistys ry seeks to enrich Finland’s multicultural fabric and contribute meaningfully to an inclusive society.
From executive board
Together, we are building bridges, fostering understanding, and shaping a brighter future. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey. We look forward to continuing this vital work with your support in the coming year
Our journey just started from the beginning of this year, but we have a long destination and an unpaved path ahead. As the 2024 chapter is closing and we reflect on another promising year, it is worth to humbly extend our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to each of you for your unwavering support and dedication to our shared mission and common principles and values. Your contributions and tireless support have been the foundation of our successes, and together, we have achieved it.
As the situation of Hazaras and women are worsening in Afghanistan, our advocacy for the human rights of the Hazaras and for the girls and women of Afghanistan has been a central focus. Through engagements such as our meeting with the Human Rights Committee of Finland parliament, Amnesty International Finland, we have highlighted the serious human right violation in Afghanistan.
We are proud to celebrate the Hazara Cultural Day for the first time in Finland. This unique event brought together over 700 attendees Hazaras and migrant communities and host society from across Finland and the EU countries including representatives from the European Parliament, the Finnish Parliament civil society, migration activist and university student.
Advocacy and Human rights
Suomen Hazaroiden Kulttuuriyhdistys ry, is committed to raise our voices for those who suffer far or near, we speak for those who cannot be heard
The Hazara community in Afghanistan has faced relentless and systematic persecution based on their ethnicity and religious beliefs since 1890. In addition to enduring historic oppression, a new wave of targeted attacks has reignited against Hazaras in Kabul and other provinces. These attacks form part of a broader genocidal campaign, targeting the Hazara population in various public spaces, including public transportation, shopping malls, sports clubs, mosques, hospitals, schools, and educational centers. This violence has persisted under both the former Republic and after the Taliban’s forceful return to power.
In light of the Hazaras’ dire situation, a petition was submitted to the Human Rights Committee of Finland’s Parliament on February 14, 2024 by the members of the Suomen Hazaroiden Kulttuuriyhdistys ry. The petition aims to raise public awareness and call on the United Nations, the UN Human Rights Council, the International Criminal Court (ICC), the European Union, and Finland’s Parliament to take urgent action to protect the Hazara community and hold the Taliban accountable for its actions.
The petition also highlighted the plight of women and girls under the Taliban, who face severe oppression and systemic rights violations under the guise of enforcing an “improper hijab.” These policies, amounting to gender apartheid, deny women access to education, employment, and basic freedoms, further intensifying the humanitarian crisis and underscoring the need for urgent international action.
In addition to engaging with governmental institutions, the Suomen Hazaroiden Kulttuuriyhdistys ry, held a meeting with Amnesty International Finland on April 18, 2024. The meeting aimed to advocate for the urgent plight of the Hazara community and the dire situation of women and girls in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. During the meeting a copy of the petition was formally submitted, seeking Amnesty’s support in amplifying the voices of Hazaras and women in Afghanistan and urging international action.
Meeting with Amnesty International Finland, Helsinki
A joint event was convened with Amnesty International on October 1, 2024, to remember the victims of the Kaaj attack and discuss the situation of women and marginalized groups under the Taliban in Afghanistan. The event was attended by human rights activists and migrants from diverse backgrounds.
Latif Fayaz, Chairperson of the Hazara Cultural House, and Frank Johansson, Chairperson of Amnesty International Finland, delivered speeches addressing the plight of the Hazara community and the ongoing violations of women’s rights in Afghanistan.
The event also featured a panel discussion with Sanna Valtonen, human rights activist; Kaisa Korhonen, Legal Advisor at Amnesty International; and Shekeba Ahmadi, Deputy Director of the Hazara Cultural House. The panelists provided a deep analysis of the current situation facing women and marginalized groups in Afghanistan and discussed Finland’s policies towards migrants and Afghan women.
Culture and diversity
The Hazara Cultural Day was celebrated on May 18, 2024, in Helsinki, drawing over 700 participants. The event featured a vibrant showcase of Hazara culture, including speeches, a panel discussion on the EU Parliament elections, music, dance, poetry, photo and film screenings, an exhibition of Hazaragi clothing, and traditional Hazaragi food.
An esteemed lineup of guest speakers and panelists included Pekka Haavisto, Member of the Finnish Parliament and former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Latif Fayaz, Director of the Hazara Cultural House; Ville Niinistö and Sirpa Pietikäinen, Members of the European Parliament; Inka Hopsu and Pinja Perholehto, Members of the Finnish Parliament;Paavo Arhinmäki, Deputy Mayor of Helsinki; Carina Jaatinen, human rights activist; and Sharif Saidi, writer and poet. Additionally, Dr. Sima Samar, former General Director of the Afghanistan Human Rights Commission, delivered a speech online.
The celebration also served as an important opportunity to promote multiculturalism and diversity, with attendees from various backgrounds, including migrants from different communities, native Finns from universities, civil society, and organizations, all playing a key role in the event’s success.
Yalda Night Celebration
Picture from Yalda Night celebration
On December 13th, 2024, Yalda Night was celebrated by Suomen Hazaroiden Kulttuuriyhdistys ry at Salo Library in Espoo. This cultural event brought together community members and enthusiasts to honor the ancient Persian tradition of Yalda, which marks the longest night of the year.
The evening featured a variety of captivating performances, including poetry readings, traditional music, and the soulful melodies of the dambura, a prominent string instrument integral to Hazaragi musical traditions. Both Persian and Finnish poets enriched the program with their work. Notable contributors included Sharif Sajidi and Asif Hussain, who presented their poetry visually, alongside Kasper Salonen, a Finnish poet, and many others who shared their verses with the audience.
Complementing the poetic performances, traditional music and dambura were performed by Hafiz Habibi, Meri-Sofia, and Munir Atee, whose artistry captivated the attendees.
The event successfully fostered cultural exchange, offering participants a vivid glimpse into the rich traditions of Yalda and the artistic heritage of Persian and Hazaragi cultures. It was an evening of joy, connection, and celebration of diversity, warmly embraced by all in attendance.
Events and Meetings
National Dialogue Conference, NDC, photo from the CMI social media page
Latif Fayaz and Zainab Alizada participated on behalf of Suomen Hazaroiden Kulttuuriyhdistys ry in the National Dialogue Conference (NDC), hosted by CMI Martti Ahtisaari, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other organizations from June 11–13, 2024. This conference provided a valuable opportunity for networking with organizations from Finland and around the world. Panel discussions allowed participants to share experiences of peace dialogues from different countries, fostering a deeper understanding of conflict resolution efforts.
Meeting with civil society activists and women’s rights defenders from Afghanistan who attended the National Dialogue Conference: Dr. Homaira Rezaie from the United Kingdom, Orphan Badakhshi from the Netherlands, and former Afghanistan Senator Anarkali Honyar from France.
