Our response to Afghan resettlement programme

Responding to the UK Government announcing a bespoke resettlement route for Afghan refugees, Beth Gardiner-Smith, CEO of Safe Passage International, said:

“We welcome the Government’s promise to resettle Afghan refugees, which recognises just how vital safe routes are for refugees fleeing conflict and persecution.

However the Government’s announcement fails to match the scale and pace needed in response to the emergency developing in Afghanistan. Britain can and should do more now, with hundreds of thousands having already fled their homes. And they should offer specific urgent support to those in the UK who have family in the Afghanistan and are desperate for their loved ones to join them safely.

It is shameful that the Government continues to push their inhumane plans under the Nationality and Borders Bill, which will deny asylum and punish Afghan and other refugees forced to make a dangerous journey to the UK. This undermines any promise to stand by the people of Afghanistan. No matter how someone is forced to make their journey to the UK, we must offer welcome and compassion to those in need of refuge.

We must not turn our backs on Afghan refugees in their time of need – the Government can and must do more.”