On Wednesday, British Home Secretary Priti Patel and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace defended the United Kingdom’s (UK) Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP), saying that the country has already relocated 1,400 Locally Employed Staff in Afghanistan.
In a letter addressed to MP General Lord Dannatt, the duo clarified that the country remains committed to protecting Locally Employed Staff in Afghanistan. The clarification comes after the former Staff raised concerns regarding their safety following the withdrawal of British and other NATO troops.
Additionally, several media reports have criticised the British ministers for abandoning Afghans who helped their forces over the years. The Times mentioned that several Labour Ministers had called out the British government for “an unforgivable dereliction of moral duty,” as merely 2,800 out of the 7,000 Afghans who assisted British troops were allowed entry into the UK.
Furthermore, in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, several former military commanders expressed concern about the government rejecting the asylum applications of hundreds of interpreters. The letter stated, “Too many of our former interpreters have unnecessarily and unreasonably been rejected…We strongly urge that the policy is reviewed again immediately to ensure more are given sanctuary,” adding, “If any of our former interpreters are murdered by the Taliban in the wake of our withdrawal, the dishonour will lay squarely at our nation’s feet.”
Patel and Wallace’s letter stated that these claims were false and accused the media houses of misreporting. The duo highlighted the ARAP policy, announced on May 31 along with the withdrawal of troops, saying that it aims to “bring as many people as possible to the UK as quickly as possible, prioritising within the programme all those who are judged to be at most serious risk.”
According to the letter, the UK has already relocated 1,400 Locally Employed Staff from Afghanistan. In the past week, another 1,400 employees were brought into the country. It clarified that the British government intends on bringing in hundreds of families and Afghan individuals to protect them from the Taliban-led violence.
The officials also stated that the UK had already expanded the eligibility guidelines to include interpreters employed as contractors, those dismissed for minor administrative offences, and additional family members of the staff. Afghans who have already left the country can also apply for asylum in the UK.
The letter also mentioned that the UK remains committed to protecting its security interests and citizens. Therefore, it would not be suitable to “make a blanket offer of sanctuary to those who may have committed offences that would be crimes in the UK or pose a security threat to this country.” It added that the officials are “carefully monitoring” the applications to ensure a “balance between generosity and security.”
Out of the dismissed asylum applications, “119 (18%) were for activities that would be criminal offences in the UK” and “296 (44%) for a range of activities or offences which either had or could have had serious consequences.” The remaining 38%, who were charged with minor administrative offences, will now be offered relocation. However, the British government intends on continuing to dismiss applications that raise security concerns, often due to their links with the Taliban or offences such as sexual harassment, violent assault, theft, or drug abuse.
Earlier this week, the United States (US) announced that it would be expanding the eligibility criteria for Afghan nationals seeking refuge in the country. A press release by the State Department said, “This designation expands the opportunity to permanently resettle in the United States to many thousands of Afghans and their immediate family members who may be at risk due to their US affiliation.” Accordingly, such Afghans will be granted a Priority 2 designation, which includes “groups of special concern designated by the Department of State as having access to the programme under their circumstances and apparent need for resettlement.” Although the US announcement aims to help the distraught Afghans, it might fail due to the lack of a plan to assist the refugees to escape the war-torn country.
British and American troops are already facing criticism for their hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan, which has sprung the war-torn country into violence. Apart from this, their genuine commitment to assist prior employees who are currently under threat for helping the Western forces is also being questioned.
British Home Secretary, Defence Secretary Defend Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy
Patel and Wallace defended the UK’s Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy, saying that the country has already relocated 1,400 Locally Employed Staff in Afghanistan.
August 5, 2021
SOURCE: PA WIRE