Respected Mr President, dear ladies and gentlemen,
My name is Lina Hassani. I stand before you today as a 21-year-old Afghan girl, from a Hazara family, who lived through decades of conflict and profound change. I am from a country that, sadly, is famous for its three decades of war. I arrived in Belgium thanks to the Humanitarian Corridors of the Community of Sant’Egidio and I have been living in Belgium for 5 months. I am now dedicated to learning the Dutch language. My story is not just about my life but about the lives of countless Afghans who have endured unimaginable hardships. I was born in Kabul, a city that holds many joyful and painful memories. Life in Afghanistan has never been easy. In 2009, my father was taken from us—killed by the Taliban. But My mother, with incredible strength, stepped up to support our family.
I followed my education path realizing it is the only way for a better life. We moved to Dusht-e-Barchi, a neighborhood in Kabul known for being home to many Hazara and Shia families. It was also one of the most dangerous areas, often targeted by terrorist groups, especially the Taliban. Living there, we were no strangers to the horrors of bombings and suicide attacks.
The violence was relentless, as I witnessed a suicide attack at our school, and children under the age of 14 were sacrificed, followed by a bombing at our educational center. There, I tragically saw my classmates' lifeless bodies. This was just one of many days that seemed all too normal for a student in Kabul.
In August 2021, the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, imposing severe restrictions on women. In my family, with my mother and her 3 daughters, we are only women. We were not allowed to leave home without a male guardian, and education was denied to us. The situation was particularly dire for those who had worked with foreign entities, including my mother. Women protesting against the Taliban faced imprisonment or even death. Feeling unsafe and with no hope of a better life in Afghanistan, we fled to Pakistan.
However, the situation there was not much different; as refugees, we were seen as a burden, lacking rights, access to healthcare and education, facing challenges in visa renewal and risking deportation. More than on million Afghans were sent back to Afghanistan.
Some Afghan refugees in Pakistan united to live under tents, enduring harsh conditions without shelter in 40-degree heat. After enduring numerous hardships, we finally connected with the Community of Sant’Egidio in our camp, the first organization to visit us in Pakistan. They listened to our concerns and promised assistance, a promise they fulfilled. On April 29, 2024, we embarked on a journey from Pakistan to Belgium with the help of Sant’Egidio.
Today we live my mother myself and my sisters in an apartment surrounded by new friends from Sant’Egidio and we are loved and accompanied in this new life.
In conclusion, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who have supported Afghan refugees and listened to our voices. I wish for a future where peace prevails in Afghanistan and across the globe. May the scars of conflict heal, and may every individual find the strength to embrace love, understanding, and unity. Thank you for believing in our right to live freely. I ask you to continue supporting Afghan women and girls who remain in desperate need of assistance. Together, we can help ensure that they, too, have the opportunity to dream, learn, and thrive. Your support can make a profound difference in their lives, and together, we can pave the way for a more just and equitable future.