UK govt. slammed for deporting Afghans
The British authorities are coming under increasing fire from rights groups for turning away Afghan refugees seeking asylum in the country.
UK charity Asylum Aid has slammed the Tory government for what it calls a “culture of disbelief” at the Home Office. Rights activists argue that the prevalent culture leaves refugees struggling to prove their right to protection.
“The UK grant rate (for applications) on average is 41 per cent but the average for Afghans is much lower…That gap often demonstrates the level of risk perceived by the Home Office," the Independent quoted Debora Singer, the charity’s policy and research manager as saying.
This comes against the backdrop of worsening security situation in Afghanistan, where Taliban insurgency is escalating nearly 15 years after the US-led invasion of the country.
Clive Hambidge, a London-based political commentator, believes Afghan refugees do have the right to seek asylum in the UK.
“These poor people... who are fleeing conflict, fleeing war, fleeing poverty, have every right here to be properly represented” Hambidge told Press TV on Saturday.
Hambidge also said “it’s absolutely unfair” to send back Afghan refugees to their war-torn country where they face “increasing dangers”.
In a major change of policy, Germany has already started deporting Afghan asylum-seekers in an attempt to control the refugee crisis in the country.
Afghans are seen as the second-largest group of asylum-seekers in Europe after Syrians.
According to UN statistics, Afghans make up nearly 21 percent of refugees arriving in Europe.
Over 120,000 Afghans requested asylum in Europe in 2015– more than twice as many as last year.
British activist on hunger strike in solidarity with Gaza
Palestine Action defeats Elbit
Britons demand release of pro-Palestine activists
Diplomat discourages recourse to pressure, intimidation, confrontation against Iran
UN: 2024 deadliest year for aid workers amid genocide in Gaza
Gaza health official warns of hospital shutdowns within 48 hours
Israel kills 5 more paramedics in southern Lebanon: Health ministry
Iran to launch ‘new, advanced’ centrifuges in response to IAEA resolution: AEOI
Yemen fires hypersonic missile at Israeli airbase
VIDEO | New Delhi chokes under toxic smog as air quality remains at hazardous levels
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
