Sanctuary granted for 100 Afghans who worked for the British Council

NEARLY 100 Afghans under threat of execution by the Taliban after working for the British Council have been granted sanctuary in the UK.

Since the insurgents took over Afghanistan again in 2021, the former council workers have suffered brutal beatings as revenge for teaching English to Afghans and promoting British values.

Despite the decision, they still face huge issues getting here, as the Taliban have closed passport offices and set up checkpoints on major roads. Anyone suspected of trying to flee to Britain is arrested.

Earlier this week, a former British Council worker was captured by the regime and has not been seen since.

A further 100 Afghans who previously worked for the UK’s cultural promotion organisation are still awaiting approval to relocate to Britain.

Last night, Conservative MP John Baron, who chairs the British Council parliamentary group, demanded ‘greater urgency’, adding: ‘If 200 people and their families helped us then we need to reach out and help those 200. The time to put this right is now.’

Since 2015, the Daily Mail’s Betrayal of the Brave campaign has highlighted the injustice of Afghans who risked their lives on the UK’s behalf being exposed to revenge attacks. Hundreds of former interpreters and others have come to Britain following concessions granted by the Government on eligibility criteria.

The British Council workers are among the last eligible Afghans to have their cases considered.

One of them, Ahmad, said: ‘I might die. I was beaten by the Taliban and need three weeks of hospital treatment. I was attacked for working for the British. I don’t have the paperwork to come to the UK and I can’t get it. I’m stuck here with my family, and it is terrifying.’ There is an estimated backlog of 66,000 Afghans seeking to come to Britain. The evacuations are also being slowed down by a shortage of housing – UK officials will grant sanctuary only after accommodation in this country has been arranged.

Government minister Leo Docherty said: ‘We are making progress. We are trying – in terms of communication and administrative support – to ensure they can start that journey of resettlement.’