The son of an Afghan man detained for deportation talks exclusively with the BBC about the looming threat to his family as their personal details were exposed in a UK data breach. The family fears for their lives if returned to Afghanistan due to the father's ties with British military operations.
Afghan Refugee Faces Deportation After UK Data Breach; Family's Safety at Risk
Afghan Refugee Faces Deportation After UK Data Breach; Family's Safety at Risk
An Afghan man and his family face imminent deportation from Pakistan after details of their asylum application were leaked, jeopardizing their safety due to his previous association with UK forces.
An Afghan man, whose personal information was inadvertently leaked by the UK government in a large data breach, has been detained in Pakistan alongside his family as they face imminent deportation. His son, identified as Rayan for safety reasons, relayed this harrowing situation to the BBC, highlighting the dangers they would face if returned to Afghanistan due to his father's involvement with special forces during the war.
The family's troubles stem from an active policy in Pakistan to return "illegal foreign nationals" to their home countries, intensifying their fears regarding safety if returned to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Despite claims from the Taliban government that all Afghans can now live safely, a recent UN report casts serious doubts on those assurances, highlighting ongoing threats to former allies of Western forces.
Initially, the family had sought refuge under the UK's Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP), designed to assist those who worked alongside British troops. Following the Taliban's takeover in August 2021, they applied for relocation but have remained in limbo in Pakistan for nearly two years. The situation escalated when Pakistani authorities recently detained some family members, leaving Rayan scrambling to hide with his wife and infant son to avoid capture.
Rayan described the chaotic conditions, including reports from a sibling about overcrowded holding facilities as authorities prepare for upcoming deportations. He expressed deep concern for his relatives, especially the younger members, and said the family has received little communication or justification regarding their prolonged waiting period.
Official statements from the Ministry of Defence have been vague, affirming their commitment to supporting eligible Afghans while not addressing specific cases. Calvin Bailey, a Labour MP who previously worked with Afghan forces alongside British troops, underscored the moral responsibility to safeguard these families, calling for proactive measures from the British government and officials.
Pakistan has historically provided sanctuary to Afghan refugees, hosting about three million people, yet frustration has grown over the lengthy process of resettling those at risk. With over a million individuals returned to Afghanistan under a recently launched repatriation initiative, questions are rising about the urgency for the UK to expedite the resettlement of vulnerable Afghan families.
As mounting pressure from both humanitarian organizations and concerned governments surrounds this case, the UN Refugee Agency is urging for the safe and voluntary return of Afghans, emphasizing the need for a protective stance for those fleeing persecution. The plight of Rayan and his family serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by Afghan refugees living in uncertainty.
