UK Criticized for Delay in Resettling Afghan Refugees Granted Permission to Travel to UK
The UK has resettled only two Afghans out of 1,049 eligible people from Pakistan in the past three months, despite all of them being granted permission to travel to the UK through the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
The UK government is paying for the Afghans' hotel costs in Pakistan, costing about $21 million between April last year and March 2023.
However, only eight Afghans have been relocated to Britain worldwide between March 1 and May 24 this year.
The delay in relocating vulnerable Afghans is considered "shameful" by John Healey, the shadow defense secretary, who said the UK has a "moral duty" to assist former interpreters and embassy staff.
A British government spokesperson said the UK has made an "ambitious and generous commitment" to help at-risk people in Afghanistan, having brought around 24,600 vulnerable people to safety, including thousands of people eligible for its Afghan resettlement schemes.
However, only eight Afghans have been relocated to Britain worldwide between March 1 and May 24 this year.
The delay in relocating vulnerable Afghans is considered "shameful" by John Healey, the shadow defense secretary, who said the UK has a "moral duty" to assist former interpreters and embassy staff.
A British government spokesperson said the UK has made an "ambitious and generous commitment" to help at-risk people in Afghanistan, having brought around 24,600 vulnerable people to safety, including thousands of people eligible for its Afghan resettlement schemes.
