The Independent reported that dozens of local translators who worked with British military forces in Afghanistan will not be allowed to enter the United Kingdom under the claim that they pose a "national security threat" to the country. The British Ministry of Defence had previously announced its agreement to resettle those translators who collaborated with its forces for many years. However, with the Taliban's takeover of vast areas of the country, the affected individuals received messages from the British Home Office stating that they and their families would not be allowed to travel to the UK as they are considered a "threat" to it. The Home Office did not provide any further explanations or allow for an appeal against its decision, leaving the Afghan collaborators in fear and anxiety in case the Taliban isolated them and decided to retaliate, according to many of them.
"Sudden Danger"
The newspaper noted that lawyers representing one of the translators have referred the Home Office's decision to the court, demanding its annulment or providing logical and legal explanations for why this group of Afghans is suddenly deemed a "threat" without prior notice. In a special session of the High Court on Friday evening, a judge ordered the British government to provide those details within 24 hours, which has not happened yet. Rehana Bopal, a specialized immigration lawyer working on the case, stated: "These men served the British Army in Afghanistan," adding: "They went out on patrols and missions with the soldiers, helped them communicate with local communities, and played vital roles." She continued: "Now, not only are we turning our backs on them, but we are saying they pose a danger to us and threaten us.. It's horrific. How can the Ministry of Defence accept their service, then the Home Office comes along and says they are a threat.. What happened is regrettable and makes no sense." Bopal confirmed that winning her client's case in the High Court would set a precedent benefiting all other translators facing the same situation.
The translator, who declined to disclose his identity, stated that he is currently hiding in a village near the capital Kabul with his wife and six children, all under the age of fourteen.
"They Tried to Kill Me"
The 38-year-old translator revealed that Taliban fighters patrol the area and have threatened to kill him, noting that he was shot at last week while en route to Kabul International Airport, resulting in a gunshot wound to his neck, but he survived. He continued: "This is the right time for the British Army to return the favor because I helped them before." He added: "The place in the village is extremely dangerous; there are many Taliban militants, which makes my situation very difficult. I just want the British government to help me. There is no reason for them to reject my case." He concluded by saying: "And what about my children? They are still young .. and the conditions for them are extremely bad.. everyone here knows that I was a translator for both the British and American armies." Despite having distant relatives affiliated with the Taliban, he assures that the U.S. Army and the British Ministry of Defence knew about this before he began working with them over a decade ago.
He submitted his request to move to the UK as part of a resettlement policy scheme in May 2021, coinciding with the agreement reached between the former U.S. President Donald Trump and the Taliban regarding the withdrawal of U.S. forces. The British Ministry of Defence had approved his transfer request in the same month (May) before the Home Office rescinded it in a letter dated July 30. The Home Office stated it would not comment on individual cases but clarified that since evacuation operations began on August 15, over 10,000 people have been airlifted from the country.
