ABSTRACT
Through analysing the empirical cases in Afghanistan, this chapter explores ways to understand the internal diversity of groups vis-à-vis counter-homogenisation policies. It suggests means through which group rights can be reconciled with the individual rights and choice. The chapter first discusses the challenges of multiculturalism and its limits to acknowledge diversity as well as inequality within the communities. It discusses what if recognition of one culture imposes limitations on the individuals of another community. Subsequently, it picks three different cases from Afghanistan to show how community cultures and recognition of group rights led to the curtailing of individual rights and freedom at the macro level. The first case examines the lack of religious tolerance and the lack of right to dissent within the Muslim practices of Afghanistan. The second case argues how recognition of Shia Hazara Personal Law curtailed rights and freedoms of the community’s women. And finally, the last case presents the Pashtun’s culture and possible challenges to human rights. All three cases have happened post-2001.
