If you bother to learn something about the complexities of the clans and the people of Afghanistan, you will be aware of the history of persecution of the Hazaras, regardless of who is in power. Most of the refugees coming to Australia from Afghanistan are Hazara if you bother to talk to them or welcome them. Sadly, most people, conditioned by the mass media, regard Islam as monolithic and all they know about the Taliban is that they hosted Osama bin Laden. The media really has a duty to present background information, like this Opinion column, to educate Australians.

How many people remember how the Taliban were welcome in Washington back in the 1990s to discuss oil and gas deals ? The hijackers of 11/9 were not Afghans, they were mostly Saudis but it was easier to attack Afghanistan than Saudi Arabia (or Pakistan). So NATO/ISAF never rarely cared about the Hazaras or the women of Afghanistan and they still don't. The best thing we can do is talk to them, welcome them, learn about the history of Afghanistan and encourage more articles like this one. Oh, and remember the vital role the "Afghans" played in opening up the Desert Centre in the 19th century.

Pedr Fardd wrote:

>>So NATO/ISAF never rarely cared about the Hazaras or the women of Afghanistan and they still don't.>>

Of course they don't. The Hazaras are not a fashionable cause.

To be a fashionable cause for the "Left" you must have the right enemies. Israelis or Americans are best but, at a pinch, Brits will do. If your enemies are Muslims you're not really a victim.

To be a fashionable cause for the "Right" you cannot be Muslim though exceptions are made for Muslim women persecuted by Muslim men and Uighurs persecuted by Chinese communists.

The Hazaras don't have a chance.

Pedr Fardd wrote

>>The best thing we can do is… learn about the history of Afghanistan>>

The politically correct answer is "Tell me more, I'm so interested."

Not being politically correct my answer is that I don't give a rodent's rectum about Afghanistan or its history. Once Australian troops have withdrawn – this afternoon at 3pm would be a good time to start the withdrawal – I shall ignore every article on Afghanistan I see in the media.

So far as I can see it is a backward hellhole populated by warring clans. Its contribution to civilisation is likely to be nil if not less. I personally do not blame anyone who wants to escape from that benighted country. My only request is that Afghans of whatever clan who settle here do not try and inflict their bizarre beliefs on me. They should be grateful they're in a better place and try and learn from the wider Australian culture.

The Right/Left analysis is correct to a point but you need to subdivide the Left. The Hard Left prefer to attack the USA and Israel as you say but the Libertarian Left, represented by Amnesty and Human Rights groups, do work across the board - and have for decades, e.g. support for Tibet and the Uygurs. It was interesting how many on the Right left Amnesty after the Cold War ended precisely because of this factor but Amnesty has always been consistent and has rebuilt its strength in the last 20 years, despite the Pope's fatwa about Catholics having to leave Amnesty.