A star is born Britain leaves interpreters behind ‘to be hunted down by Taleban’
AfghAn interpreters who helped British forces are left behind to be “hunted down by the Taleban” because of a refusal by the UK government to ensure their safety, campaigners claim.
Lawyers are acting for three former interpreters, one of whom remains in Afghanistan and is facing regular death threats.
The man, who is known only as Abdul, is in hiding after he and his family were threatened by the Taleban because of the work he did for the British forces.
he has launched a petition – which has gathered more than 50,000 signatures – and the cause has been taken up by campaign group Avaaz.
Campaign director Alex Wilks said: “Afghan interpreters are war heroes who have risked everything to save British lives and rebuild their country.
“Britain is the only nato country so far refusing to grant them safety. William hague must offer them asylum, as the UK did before for Iraqi interpreters who helped us there.”
he added: “We can’t leave them behind to be hunted down by the Taleban.”
Leigh Day Solicitors are acting for Abdul and two other interpreters, and are planning legal action to get him to safety.
They have written to the foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence asking for the “targeted assisted scheme”, which the government provided to Iraqi interpreters in Iraq, to be extended to those in Afghanistan. The scheme allows qualifying staff the right either to resettle in Britain or receive a one-off financial payment.
Speaking from Afghanistan, Abdul – an interpreter with British forces from 2006-12 – said threats to him and his family had gone on since 2009.
“They say, ‘You people are infidels, you are working for the infidels’,” he said. “We reported it to the Afghan police, but they couldn’t do anything.
“We are keeping a low profile. The situation is getting worse and worse right now.
“We have helped the British government in Afghanistan. When they were in need, we were proud to help them. right now, we need their help.”
Another member of his family also worked as an interpreter for British troops from 2006 to 2011, but has since fled to the UK.
“I am proud of my work and the job I have done,” he said. “Unfortunately, it’s not appreciated by anybody.
“I was almost killed in an incident, I was blown up by an IED. Yet when I came into this country … I waited 18 months until they would give me the documents.
“And instead of welcoming me, they just dumped me like a piece of dirt on the street.
“I have many, many saved the lives of British in Afghanistan.
“Yes, as a human being it was my duty to do it, but it’s their duty for a human being to help me.”
rAf sergeant Alex ford, from Shropshire, who served in Afghanistan in 2011, said his job would have been impossible without help from interpreters.
“I shared everything with our ’terps – food, jokes, my whole life. They stood shoulder to shoulder with us in the line of fire, and risked their lives as much as any squaddie.
“While I’ve returned to a safe home here in Britain, they still face appalling risks for the help they gave us.
“It hurts me and makes me ashamed that the government hasn’t the integrity to stand up for people who have risked everything for us.” times forces