Afghans in evacuation plea at city centre rally
AFGHANS living in Leicester are calling on the government to evacuate vulnerable people stranded in their home country after the Taliban’s rapid advance to power.
Organised by the local Afghan community, more than 100 people gathered at Leicester’s Town Hall Square to raise a voice for the people living in fear in their home country.
The formal evacuation of UK nationals and Afghans has now ended, but speakers at the demonstration asked how those left behind will be brought to safety.
Asadullah Shinwari, who was one of the organisers of the rally, was formerly a UK government adviser.
He said: “I know first-hand what these people are going through in Afghanistan right now and my heart goes out to them.
“In the last few weeks I’ve received so many calls from people asking me to help them get out but what can I do? I’m not in a position of power all I can do is raise my voice.”
Asadullah came to the UK first as an asylum seeker, before becoming a social worker and later working as a government adviser in Afghanistan, working with UK officials.
He now feels “heartbroken” at the lack of support for people left behind.
While efforts were made to evacuate interpreters, the former adviser said a number of workers who played a part in supporting British forces have been “forgotten” including cooks, drivers and cleaners.
“What about them?” he said. “Who will help them?”
Nargis Hussaini, 27, was one of the female voices heard at the rally.
She said: “I’m here to support the women of Afghanistan whose rights are at risk because of the Taliban - we will not accept them. The refugees coming to the UK are in danger.”
She was supported by Abeda Sakha, who stood in protest of the “mistreatment of women” by the Taliban.
She said: “I want to raise my voice for the women and children who are trapped.
“I’ve had calls from women who are in hiding because they are at risk due to their job - particularly lawyers, teachers and doctors.”
Abeda said children were also suffering at the hands of Taliban forces - their “education being stripped from them.”
Families including young children attended the rally, holding up placards with the words “5,000 is not enough”.
Boris Johnson has confirmed the UK will take in 20,000 additional refugees from Afghanistan over the next five years, with 5,000 set to arrive in the UK by the end of 2021.
It is believed more than 500 people with links to Leicester are still stuck in Afghanistan.