2023 Theses Master's

Human Rights Knowledge Production on Afghanistan and Marginalization of Uzbeks

Elmi, Nazeela

The plight of Uzbeks in the present moment persists as a human rights issue that is either too narrowly focused or entirely overlooked, a part of “subjugated knowledge” in Afghanistan that’s not included in the curriculum and “often lies hidden from mainstream knowledge building.” Amid the repetitive storytelling of crimes and conflict-related violence, their suffering remains in the shadows. Recognizing their plight within human rights discourses and reporting is a starting point to counter the power dynamics that define who gets included in human rights reporting and who does not. Ultimately, this influences how global policies are shaped and who benefits from them.

This research aims to highlight both a historical and present human rights issue that has gone unnoticed, hoping to provide a roadmap for engaging with ethnic minorities in Afghanistan within the context of human rights reporting. To that end, this thesis seeks to challenge the dominant narratives and hegemonic discourses that portray Afghanistan as a monolithic entity, using the forced displacement of Uzbeks as a pivotal case study. This lack of diversity in mainstream narratives has direct implications for human rights reporting, which could benefit from an intersectional approach. Specifically, international human rights organizations have largely ignored the tragedy of Uzbeks in their reporting and data production, overlooking the unique experiences of women, who represent 80% of displaced persons in Afghanistan.

In addition, the study serves as an internal critique of the human rights field, addressing the pathologies within international human rights organizations and calling for a more critical and reflective approach. Using qualitative methods, including discourse analysis, interviews with both local and local-exile researchers and international human rights experts, this research explores the gap between ground reality and the reporting produced by these organizations. In doing so, it aims to offer a more inclusive and accurate depiction of the human rights situation in Afghanistan, highlighting the overlooked narratives that have long been absent from global discourse.