Two years of empty promises: the UK leaves Afghans stranded and at risk

Our new report, Two years of empty promises: the UK leaves Afghans stranded and at risk, is a joint effort by the Afghan Pro Bono Initiative, a collaboration between Refugee Legal Support and Safe Passage International.

It highlights the challenges faced by Afghan people in accessing resettlement schemes in the UK, which have left them in a state of uncertainty. Despite fleeing persecution with the expectation of help in the UK, many Afghans remain in danger after two years, feeling let down by unfulfilled protection promises from UK authorities.

The report draws on the perspectives of the Afghan community and the APBI’s legal expertise in working with Afghan refugees and makes key recommendations to the UK Government, including:

• Ensuring timely application processing to prevent long delays stranding Afghans in dangerous situations.

• Providing safe and secure biometric enrolment to eliminate risks faced by applicants.

• Flexibility with required documents criteria so that applicants who have fled their homes without all the required official documents can still apply.

• Broadening the scope for family reunion beyond the current restrictive rules.

• Widening the eligibility criteria for the ACRS (Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme) to include more individuals, including vulnerable groups like LGBT+ individuals and the Hazaras.