Hero translators: Don’t abandon us to be hunted down by Taliban
Over 100 Afghans who helped Army beg Boris for help
MORE than 100 former Afghan translators for the British military have begged Boris Johnson and his ministers not to abandon them.
They warn that the Taliban will hunt them down if they are left in their home country – and that their deaths will shame Britain.
In a letter to be handed in to the British embassy in Kabul today, they warn of the dangers that those ‘who risked their lives and futures to help the British’ face.
Pleading for sanctuary in the UK, the letter – entitled ‘Interpreters’ Lives Matter’ – says those dangers are a direct result of working with British forces during 13-years of conflict.
It will be handed in by five former interpreters in Kabul, and also sent to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Home Secretary Priti Patel and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.
The translators said it is the largest number of men who served with the British military to ‘speak with one voice’. All of those who signed are stuck in Afghanistan, desperate for a home in the UK.
They said the Taliban threat to their lives has massively increased because of peace talks that have resulted in the release of thousands of gunmen.
Dozens of other men who worked for UK
BETRAYAL OF THE BRAVE
forces in other capacities have also signed the letter, providing their unique employment numbers given to them by the military when they signed up. This takes the total to 190 signatures.
The letter states: ‘We believe the UK Government is not paying attention to the real problems we face. We… are being hunted because of our devoted service to the UK.
‘Now many of us are forced to live with fear of attack, blamed by the Taliban and insurgents for the deaths or imprisonment of their colleagues.
‘We receive death threats, our families have become targets, people will not employ us, our own communities have turned against us and we are forced to give up our family lands and move home many times.’
It warns the peace deal backed by the US will give power and influence back to the ‘same people you had us believe were the evil enemies’.
It adds: ‘Thousands of Taliban prisoners, who we helped fight and send to jail, are being released. They told us we were traitors and would never forget. Are you now telling us it is safe to live side-byside with them?’
The letter comes six weeks after interpreters say they were given renewed hope after the Government said both the Home Secretary and Defence Secretary recognised ‘their crucial service’ and a settlement would be found. That followed pressure from the Daily Mail’s Betrayal of the Brave campaign which has highlighted the plight of dozens of translators and their families. The letter adds: ‘Interpreters are desperate to protect the life of their families.
‘More and more they are forced… to turn to traffickers to try and escape. It is a big risk but we have little alternative.
‘It is really disappointing to us that the UK government is prepared to offer help to hundreds of thousands of people from Hong Kong and migrants arriving daily but has forgotten its heroes, which probably total just 200.
‘If this continues, then who will trust UK forces in the future?’ The letter adds: ‘Our deaths… will bring great shame on the UK Government.’
Former frontline translator Tawab, 38, one of those who will deliver the letter in Kabul, said: ‘I hope this letter will remind the Government we are united in calling for a change of policy so that all those forgotten and left behind can live a life of safety in the UK.’ Tawab, a father of three girls, said freed Taliban ‘will see it as a matter of honour’ to seek revenge.
Rafi Hottak, who came to Britain with the help of people smugglers, will deliver the letters in the UK. He said: ‘The time for talk is over, the Government should act before it is too late.’
The Government said: ‘We remain committed to ensuring a fair system for the resettlement of Afghan interpreters. Claims are being processed as rapidly as possible.’