Urgent Plea to Protect Afghan Family Facing Deportation Amid Data Breach Concerns

An Afghan family, at risk of deportation due to a UK data leak, is pleading for protection from the Taliban after being detained in Pakistan. The family had previously applied for relocation to the UK, citing safety concerns linked to the father's past service with British forces.

 

An Afghan man, whose personal information was inadvertently disclosed by the UK in a significant data breach, is currently detained in Pakistan along with several family members, facing a pending deportation. The man is reported to have served in the Triples, Afghan special forces that collaborated with British forces, and is now at risk of persecution if returned to Afghanistan. His son, Rayan, expressed urgent concerns for their safety, arguing that if deported, his father’s past affiliations with British forces could lead to their deaths by the Taliban.

Contrary to the Taliban's claims that all Afghans can live safely in the country, a recent UN report titled "No Safe Haven" casts skepticism on these assurances, highlighting the dangers faced by those associated with foreign military operations. The Afghan family had applied for the UK’s Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) after the Taliban regained power in August 2021, and while their application was backed by the UK Ministry of Defence, they have been stuck in Pakistan awaiting a final decision.

Rayan describes a harrowing family experience, recalling how he narrowly escaped detention by hiding in a hotel bathroom while police rounded up his relatives. He reported that several family members, including small children, were taken to a holding camp, and there is now a palpable fear that they may be deported at any moment.

Despite the long wait since their biometrics were recorded in October 2022, the family has received no clear communication regarding their case. The Ministry of Defence has refrained from commenting on individual cases but emphasized its commitment to assist all eligible individuals. However, their situation is exacerbated by the data leak that exposed the personal details of nearly 19,000 Afghan applicants for UK resettlement, leaving families like Rayan's feeling more vulnerable than ever.

Rayan's pleas for assistance from the British High Commission underscore the pressing need for immediate action to protect his family from potential deportation. Calvin Bailey, a Labour MP with experience working alongside the Triples, stated the importance of ensuring adequate protection for these families as a matter of ethical obligation.

As Pakistan continues to enforce its repatriation plan for undocumented foreigners, there are grave concerns about the safety of Afghans, particularly those with connections to foreign forces. The UNHCR has reiterated calls for Pakistan to protect those with ongoing protection needs, emphasizing that any returns must be conducted safely and voluntarily.

Reports indicate that over a million individuals have returned to Afghanistan since the implementation of Pakistan's plan, with a significant portion being Afghans. The situation remains dire for many who fear the risk of violence and retribution in their home country.