Give asylum to Afghan interpreters
It is hard to imagine a more compelling case for asylum than that of the Afghan refugee featured on page eight today. Mohammad was injured in a Taliban bomb attack while working as an interpreter for British forces. He has fled to Britain because he fears reprisals from the Taliban if he remains in Afghanistan and he is now living in Leicester.
However, his application for asylum was initially refused by the UK Border Agency, which said that he had not offered sufficient proof of his identity and his work with British forces.
Thankfully, the agency has now withdrawn that decision and is reviewing Mohammad's claim again.
It says the increased level of publicity around this case has led to "new and significant information, which was not provided during the application process, coming to light".
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We hope this will lead to Mohammad being granted asylum.
The whole point of the asylum system is to give refuge to people who are at risk of oppression and victimisation in their own country.
We have seen only too clearly that the Taliban are ruthless and merciless, and one can easily imagine the risk to Afghans who have worked with British forces.
That means this country owes Mohammad a particular duty of care. His life is at risk because he supported and helped our mission in Afghanistan.
And that brings us on to a more general point about the safety of interpreters who have helped our forces in Afghanistan and the debt that we owe to these people.
At least 21 Afghan interpreters have been killed over the past five years and many more have been wounded.
Many are now anxious about what will happen to them and their families when British forces leave Afghanistan in 2014.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond told parliament in September that the Ministry of Defence was working on a programme to ensure their protection.
In our view that must involve safe passage to this country and refuge here. It is a moral obligation that has to be fulfilled.
Comments
by sansue
Thursday, October 04 2012, 10:02PM
“"What is the definition of equal merit and who decides?"
Its all there in the legislation my friend. Equality Act 2010. It applies to private and public sector. Did you actually read the link I posted?!”
by sansue
Thursday, October 04 2012, 10:01PM
“"yep you really are running rings around me but only in your world"
Ah, taking a cruise on denial again I see. It certainly is one of your favourite destinations.
You said there was no such thing as positive discrimination and that giving someone a job
(say) because of their skin colour is nothing other than illegal. You were utterly wrong on both counts.”
by garyb2011
Thursday, October 04 2012, 8:59PM
“sansue
yep you really are running rings around me but only in your world
What is the definition of equal merit and who decides? Of course in the public sector or the BBC we know what the judgment is don't we?”
by gtnewparks
Thursday, October 04 2012, 8:30PM
“no sanue i was not saying all asylum seekers are not genuine only those who pass through 3 4 5 countries to get here if i was in fear of my life the first country i could get asylum in is the one i would ask to be given it”
by sansue
Thursday, October 04 2012, 8:22PM
“"As for 'postive discrimination' there is no such thing. Discrimation is wrong so giving someone a job
(say) because of their skin colour is nothing other than illegal and patronising and self serving"
You are really letting yourself down at the moment; it is in no way illegal, in fact the Government promote it!!!! See here: http://tinyurl.com/cdvo5bq
I quote: "The new positive action provisions mean that it is not unlawful to recruit or promote a candidate who is of equal merit to another candidate if the employer reasonably thinks the candidate has a protected characteristic that is underrepresented in the workforce"
I'm running rings around you at the moment matey!”
by sansue
Thursday, October 04 2012, 8:16PM
“gtnewparks, are you seriously claiming that nobody who comes to the UK claiming asylum is genuine?”
by sansue
Thursday, October 04 2012, 8:13PM
“"When the quota is reached - we say sorry we are full - good luck and good bye"
Ah, at last you admit it. I'll remind you of your earlier comment:
"No-one is suggesting that those genuinely seeking asylum be turned away"
Hmmmm, see my problem?! Far from "no-one" suggesting it, YOU are suggesting it! Oh dear oh dear...................”
by gtnewparks
Thursday, October 04 2012, 8:04PM
“sorry”
by gtnewparks
Thursday, October 04 2012, 8:03PM
“just made an observation on this got deleted who decides what can be said sansue”
by gtnewparks
Thursday, October 04 2012, 7:59PM
“how can anyone say that a person who is in fear of their life in their country of origin can pass through a number of countries who will give them asylum to get to this country are not coming here for for economic reasons not fear we are a soft touch”