The Situation
The rapidly developing situation in Afghanistan is deeply concerning, and I thank every constituent who has written in to me to share in my strength of feeling for this topic.
Many of us have now seen the harrowing videos being shared on social media that show people trying to escape the Taliban. These people are desperate, and need our help. We must continue to prioritise evacuating all Britons and Afghans that we owe refuge to, and provide immediate humanitarian assistance.
Recalled Parliament
I attended a recalled Parliament last week and hoped to participate in the debate during which the UK’s urgent response to Afghanistan was discussed. Whilst I was disappointed not to have been called to speak in the debate, I will be sharing what I had wanted to say in Parliament on both my Facebook and Twitter pages shortly. I encourage residents to continue to check these regularly for any further updates, and appreciate your ongoing engagement with them.
The UK’s Role
The removal of just 2,500 US troops from Afghanistan has ended two decades of British involvement in Afghanistan. Whilst no other NATO nation, apart from Turkey, with sufficient military resources was willing to help us to remain there to keep life for Afghans as stable as possible, the UK’s exit raises questions for all of us about our role in the region going forwards, as well as our ability to exert influence through traditional means.
This does not, however diminish the efforts of all those, and particularly those from our own community, who have served in Afghanistan and should be proud of what they achieved over 20 years: degrading the terrorist threat from al Qaeda and giving millions an education.
I assure local people that the Government is still working day and night to evacuate as many people as we can. The Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence, himself a former soldier, are personally committed and involved in these efforts, and I will call upon the Government to continue work with our allies to deliver this help now. This is an event of global concern, and to lose the enormous progress Afghanistan has made over the past 20 years, particularly with regard to human rights, would be a tragedy for us all.
Some are more optimistic than I am regarding the Taliban’s intentions now, and I hope that they are right – that this is a different group from the one who tyrannised its people and harboured terrorists just years ago.
Afghan Women and Girls
I do remain very concerned about the plight of the Afghan people, and particularly the poor prospects for women’s rights and education. The conditional freedom for women within the limitations of Sharia Law that the Taliban have promised, is not freedom, and I will be working with our government and my colleagues across political parties to ensure the UK protects and promotes this right this however we can. Once the situation has become clearer, updates will be able to be provided.
Afghan Refugees
The Home Office has already announced it will launch a full Afghan citizens resettlement scheme. 5,000 of the most vulnerable will be welcomed within the first year of this alone, with up to 20,000 to be resettled in the UK in the long-run.
My support for the Nationality and Borders Bill’s upcoming and continued journey through Parliament will prove crucial to these efforts, to ensure our immigration and asylum system has the integrity and credibility necessary to allow us to welcome those most in need in such a way. We must prioritise offering urgent assistance to those most in danger, rather than letting organised criminal gangs of people traffickers profit from and decide who receives sanctuary in the UK.
A new hotline has also been opened by the Home Office for non-British nationals in Afghanistan, and the family members of non-British nationals in Afghanistan who are in need of assistance. They should call 02475389980 to receive this.
Hertford and Stortford’s Role
I am consistently reminded of how compassionate our community is, and have been overwhelmed by people’s offers of support. I am aware we all want to know exactly how such efforts to support any Afghans here will work, and I have been in close communication with East Hertfordshire District Council as to our potential involvement in response.
I understand the Council is engaging with other authorities to determine the most effective way for our area to help, and I have made it clear to them that they have my full support and cooperation in doing so. I look forward to continuing to work with them, and will be sure to share any updates with residents as soon as it is possible to do so in due course.
My Help is Available
I am currently working to support a couple of constituents/UK citizens and some of their family members in Afghanistan, whose current location and safety is of urgent concern.
If anyone living in Hertford and Stortford has such pressing enquiries and thinks I may be able to help, please do get in touch with me by calling 01279312197 or emailing me at julie.marson.mp@parliament.uk now.
