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600 Afghan Interpreters Can Live and Seek Asylum in the United Kingdom

600 Afghan Interpreters Can Live and Seek Asylum in the United Kingdom
Bernadine Racoma

Reliable sources from the government of the United Kingdom have confirmed that 600 Afghan interpreters who worked with the troops will be granted the right to reside in Britain. Of the 1,200 interpreters in the employ of the Armed Forces and the Foreign Office, about 50% are eligible for visas to the UK.

Eligibility

The package that has been drawn up at Downing Street will benefit the Afghan interpreters who worked at the front line with British troops in Afghanistan for a year or more. These are the people who have put their lives on the line while serving with British troops stationed at Helmand province to fight the Taliban. They are the ones who will be offered a UK visa that is good for five years. They are also eligible to “apply for indefinite leave.”

Their choices

According to a source from Downing Street, the interpreters who do not qualify for a British visa will be given a choice. They may opt to continue working in their country as Afghanistan rebuilds from the ashes of war. They may learn new skills such as in the field of information technology. They can sign up for educational opportunities or training that is fully funded for a period of five years. Or they may also choose to be paid for an extended period of 18 months at the current rate.

Those who are no longer employed by the UK government are not privy to these offers. The package does not apply to them. But they may report threats to their lives and if they are in any real danger the UK government could offer relocation in extreme situations under Britain’s intimidation policy.

Available benefits

The 600 Afghan interpreters will be issued visas not just for themselves but for their immediate dependents as well. The Afghan interpreters will be allowed to bring family members but the specific number still needs to be approved by the Border Agency. They have the chance to travel to the UK for free and will be provided with accommodation for the first three months of their stay in the country. These are just some of the known provisions of the £40 million package.

Staunch supporters

One of the staunchest supporters of the resettlement package for the Afghan interpreters is Lord Ashdown, a former Royal Marine. Lord Ashdown, a Liberal Democrat, stated that Britain needs to recognize the services provided by the interpreters who put themselves in harm’s way in order to help the British troops fulfill their missions.

Fears of being hunted and executed are rampant amongst interpreters when the British forces leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014. Interpreters have reported receiving direct threats from the Taliban. Earlier this year, three interpreters have filed for a judicial review of the initial decision of the UK government on the issue. Initially, Prime Minister David Cameron was not pushing for amnesty for these interpreters. But, due to the clamor for urgent measures, Downing Street has drawn up the current package.

Photo Credit: Afghan Interpreter

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