Decision on Afghan interpreters 'wholly unacceptable'
10 September 2015
The Defence Committee has written to the Ministry of Defence in support of granting asylum in the United Kingdom to 200 Afghan interpreters who worked for UK forces during the UK mission in Afghanistan. The text of the letter is set out below:
As you know, some 200 Afghan interpreters worked for UK Armed Forces during our mission in Afghanistan. Many of them have been threatened with death by the Taliban. It was recently reported that at least one interpreter has been tortured and murdered after a failed attempt to flee the country. Others live in constant fear of their lives. Despite this clear and present threat to their safety, the Government continue to deny them asylum in the United Kingdom.
The Defence Committee consider this to be a wholly unacceptable way to treat proven friends and allies. We would expect Defence Ministers and the Ministry of Defence to take the same robust view.
We, therefore, wish you to explain:
1. The Government’s rationale for not granting asylum to Afghan nationals who courageously worked as interpreters on behalf of the United Kingdom.
2. Whether there are any administrative or other obstacles which prevent the asylum process being expedited in these high-risk cases.
3. What you and your Department are doing to achieve a speedy resolution of this urgent matter, and whether you have made representations in Cabinet or to the Prime Minister.
Given the extreme danger they and their families face, the Committee requests a response as soon as possible and certainly before the House rises for the Conference Recess.