1994-1995 Afghan Protests

The 1994-1995 Afghan Protests, also known as the 1994-1995 Taliban Protests, were a series of protests and riots against the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan led by the Taliban, Sunni Islamists, Neo-Fascists, Monarchists, Shia Islamists, and Conservatives. These protests were in response to the legalization of homosexuality, bisexuality, and pansexuality in 1994. The protests ended when the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan backed down and agreed to not legalize same-sex marriage, but compromised to legalize same-sex unions instead. There were also counterprotests led by Marxist-Leninists, Social Democrats, Maoists, Feminists, Marxists, Liberals, and Socialists.
== Causes ==
=== Progressive Islamism ===
In early 1994, two years after the end of the Afghan Civil War, the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan and their leadership voted to legalize homosexuality, bisexuality, and pansexuality were all legalized in an action of Progressive Islam. The People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan was the main advocator for this move, however other Marxist-Leninists, Social Democrats, Maoists, Feminists, Marxists, Liberals, and Socialists also supported it. Meanwhile, Sunni Islamists, Neo-Fascists, Monarchists, Shia Islamists, and Conservatives were against this move and began to protest.
== By City ==
=== Kabul ===
On April 3, 1994, a minor protest begins in Kabul, though the groups involved are unknown. On December 29, 1995, another minor protest happened in Kabul, being the last protest of the protests.
=== Kandahar ===
On May 4, 1994, members of the Taliban protested in Kandahar, marching through the streets. These protests escalated on May 7, 1994, after police from the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan stood their ground and were attacked by protesters. The protesters started to riot and burned down several government buildings, causing 3 rioters to be arrested. On November 2, 1994, a minor protest happened.
=== Herat ===
On December 4, 1994, large-scale peaceful protests by the Taliban, Neo-Saqqawists, and minor groups began. Many of the groups had split from the Afghan Mujahideen in 1992.
=== Khost ===
On January 7, 1995, a major protest of ~3,000 Islamists, 127 Conservatives, and 2 Neo-Fascists began in the city of Khost in Khost Province with the stated goal of 'expressing true freedom and defending heterosexual rights'. The protesters were widely denounced as 'anti-Communist, sexist, and homophobic biggots' by Feminist leaders.
=== Bazarak ===
In the city of Bazarak in the Panjshir Province, a few hundred Conservatives and Monarchists peacefully protested against the government's actions, but agreed to stop their minor actions upon the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan proposed their compromise.
== Aftermath ==
=== Compromise ===
On December 9, 1995, the President of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan agreed to not legalize same-sex marriage, but continued to legalize same-sex unions. The majority of Islamists, Neo-Fascists, Monarchists, and Conservatives agreed to these terms. The Taliban refused to let same-sex unions or even anything LGBTQ+ to be legalized at all, but agreed to stop protesting due to lack of outside support after the compromise.
=== Legalization ===
In 1996, despite the previous 1994-1995 Afghan Protests, the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan once again went forward and legalized same-sex marriage. After the failure to prevent LGBTQ+ rights all together in 1994 and 1995, the Afghan opposition groups didn't protest. Taliban leader Mohammed Omar gave a speech denouncing the government, but didn't encourage further protests.
== Parties to the Civil Conflict ==
=== Protesters ===
==== Sunni Islamists ====
* Taliban
* Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan
* Hezb-e Islami
==== Neo-Fascists ====
* Afghan Social Democratic Party
* National Revolutionary Party of Afghanistan
==== Monarchists ====
* National Islamic Front of Afghanistan
* Neo-Saqqawists
* National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan
==== Shia Islamists ====
* People's Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan
* Sazman-i Nasr
==== Conservatives ====
* Revolutionary Council of Islamic Unity of Afghanistan
=== Anti-Protesters ===
==== Marxist-Leninists ====
* Democratic Republic of Afghanistan
* People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan
* Marxist–Leninist Organization of Afghanistan
==== Social Democrats ====
* Hazara Student Federation
* Hazara Democratic Party
==== Maoists ====
* Afghanistan Liberation Organization
* Communist (Maoist) Party of Afghanistan
* Liberation Organization of the People of Afghanistan
* Progressive Youth Organization
* Settam-e-Melli
* Shola-e Javid
==== Feminists ====
* Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan
==== Marxists ====
* People's Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan (Feda'ian)
* Revolutionary Toilers Society of Afghanistan
==== Liberals ====
* Liberal Democratic Party of Afghanistan
* National Congress Party of Afghanistan
==== Socialists ====
* Alliance of Peace and Progress Fighters of Afghanistan
* Solidarity Party of Afghanistan
* Toilers Organisation of Afghanistan
* Union of Left-Democratic Parties
* Watan Party of Afghanistan
Category:World of Sovietism
Category:Protests