The UK Foreign Office is under intense scrutiny following a damning revelation from the British Red Cross, which has exposed critical failures in processing passport applications for Afghan citizens who worked alongside British forces.
Hundreds of Afghans, who risked their lives supporting the UK's mission, remain stranded and in grave danger under Taliban rule due to administrative delays. The British Red Cross reported it is supporting numerous individuals whose applications have been stuck in a state of limbo for months, with some cases unresolved since the chaotic withdrawal from Kabul in August 2021.
Red Cross Exposes Systemic Failures
The charity's disclosure highlights a stark contrast with the government's public assurances. While ministers have repeatedly promised to support those who aided the UK, the reality on the ground tells a different story. The inability to secure passports is a major roadblock, preventing eligible Afghans from escaping to safety.
"We are deeply concerned for the safety of these individuals and their families," a representative from the British Red Cross stated. "Every day of delay increases the risk they face."
Lammy Condemns Government Inaction
Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy has launched a scathing attack on the government's handling of the crisis. Accusing ministers of a "shameful breach of promises," Lammy demanded immediate and transparent action to rectify the situation.
"The UK has a moral duty to those who stood with us," Lammy asserted. "The fact that brave Afghans are being left in peril because of paperwork is a devastating indictment of this government's competence and compassion."
Lives Left in Limbo
The situation paints a grim picture for those eligible for the UK's Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP). Without official documentation, their routes to evacuation are severed, leaving them vulnerable to persecution by the Taliban regime, which has actively targeted former interpreters and support staff.
This failure not only betrays a moral commitment but also risks damaging the UK's credibility in future international partnerships, as potential allies may question the nation's willingness to protect its collaborators.
The government now faces mounting pressure to address these systemic failures, streamline the application process, and fulfil its pledge to bring those who served the UK to safety without further delay.
