UK gave me a medal for work in Afghanistan – now I feel like giving it back
MAN WHO FLED TALIBAN AS TEEN HEARTBROKEN BY GOVERNMENT’S LACK OF HELP FOR REFUGEES
A MAN who received a medal for his services as a government adviser in Afghanistan says he has been “heartbroken” by the government’s response to evacuating people fleeing the Taliban.
Asadullah Shinwari, 37, who lives in Leicester, was forced to leave Afghanistan as a teenager.
He had been caught watching Western films by Taliban forces and left the country in fear for his life.
After being granted asylum in the UK he worked as a social worker supporting other refugees, returning to Afghanistan several years later, where he was recruited to liaise between the British Army and Afghan government officials.
He later became a cultural adviser to the Ministry of Defence and Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Helmand Province – putting his life at considerable risk.
In 2008, Asadullah was presented with a medal, of which he said he was always very proud.
He said he feels like returning the award.
“The medal that I have I used to hang in my living room. But to be honest, I have taken it down.
“If our voice is not going to be heard, I will return the honour,” he said.
Asadullah is calling for the evacuation of vulnerable Afghans who worked for the British mission but were not ambassadors or interpreters.
“We’re talking about the wire people who were part of the British mission, the contractors, the sub-contractors,” he said.
“All of these people were our backbone.
“They were the drivers who provided the fuel and the cooks who provided the food so why are we not supporting them?”
In recent weeks, he said he has received calls from families and individuals trapped in the country, fearing for their lives and begging for a way out.
Unable to help them directly, Asadullah said all he can do is raise his voice.
“It’s absolutely heartbreaking. “I was a refugee once and I came to this country, thankfully got an education and went on to work for this country in Afghanistan,” he said.
“I was honoured and I was so proud.
“But now I see we’re turning our backs on people.”
Asadullah joined others from the Afghan community on Sunday in a rally calling for further support for the people left at risk and a plan to evacuate them.