Statement on Afghanistan and the urgent need to support Afghan refugees and asylum seekers
SDLP Youth are deeply concerned at the scenes of desperation and fear in Afghanistan over recent days. We have witnessed distressing images of civilians attempting to flee from across Afghanistan, not least from Kabul, as the Taliban reclaimed power in the country. The situation is still unfolding, but it is evident that there are civilians who are deeply afraid of the return of Taliban rule, and who are seeking to leave the country to ensure the safety of themselves and their families. We cannot watch these scenes or read the words of those desperate to flee the country, and not act.
The Taliban have regained power upon US military withdrawal, facilitated by the provisions of the agreement signed in Doha between the Taliban and the US. That the demilitarisation of Afghanistan was necessary is not contested - the Western presence in Afghanistan and the invasion of the country were on tenuous, disputed grounds and the development of democracy, the rule of law, and stability of the country and its people were not the primary objectives of imperialism. Advancement in the rule of law, human rights, and equality had occurred in the last 20 years, most particularly for women and girls. The Taliban’s return to power represents the erosion of such advancement, with worrying implications, not least for women and girls.
It is crucial to note the perpetration of targeted violence, primarily directed at women professionals in Afghanistan in recent years. SDLP Youth at its policy conference of June 2021 had expressed its outrage at the continued wave of targeted killings against professionals, including government employees, journalists and reporters across Afghanistan, with the majority of intended targets of intimidation, violence, and assassination being women professionals. These killings were seemingly the responsibility of the operational wing of ISIS in the state, conducted with the intent to instigate fear in the country, to undermine the incumbent government, and sabotage the then ongoing peace negotiations underway between the Taliban and the government. That these assassinations occurred is a travesty and a grim indication of the inattentiveness of international governments to the safeguarding of women including in the future. The continuous violence committed against women in Afghanistan during a period of peace negotiations should have raised serious concerns as to the future of women’s rights and equality.
Afghanistan now faces severe instability and financial hardship at a time when it is already experiencing drought and poverty. There are deep concerns as to the prospect of humanitarian crisis. It is therefore of utmost importance that governments around the world respond to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Afghans who seek asylum.
It is vital that international actors such as the UN and the EU come to the aid of the Afghan people through at the very least committing to humanitarian aid, peacekeeping mechanisms, and facilitating the resettlement of asylum seekers and refugees.
Urgent action is required at a domestic level. SDLP Youth calls upon the British Government to facilitate asylum requests from Afghans and their families who are seeking to flee Afghanistan. The British Government must recognise the fear of violent reprisals towards Afghans who had engaged with and assisted the British military such as through interpretation, as well as those Afghans who have worked to progress human rights and equality, especially women. Any deportation orders made for the deportation of individuals to Afghanistan should be rescinded. Further, SDLP Youth strongly opposes the British Government’s Nationality and Borders Bill with its horrendous implications for the future of asylum in the UK, not least the proposed introduction of the lack of commitment to resettle a single refugee. SDLP Youth therefore calls for the rejection of the Bill; for the British Government to rescind the Bill and further yet, to immediately cease with its plans to reform the system of asylum in the UK.
SDLP Youth calls upon the Northern Ireland Executive to support the resettlement of refugees and asylum seekers from Afghanistan in Northern Ireland.
SDLP Youth calls upon the Irish Government to now utilise its presence on the UN Security Council, and to advocate for the safety of the Afghan people, and the upholding of their rights. The Irish Government should commit to the resettlement of refugees and asylum seekers from Afghanistan. Moreover, any outstanding deportation orders to Afghanistan should be rescinded.