The British former commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan is urging the federal government to point out “solidarity and friendship” in the direction of an Afghan pilot being threatened with deportation to Rwanda.
Backing The Independent’s marketing campaign, General Lord David Richards of Herstmonceux mentioned it could be a “travesty of justice” if the airman, who arrived within the UK by way of small boat, was to be kicked out.
The Afghan Air Force lieutenant labored alongside British and coalition forces, flying greater than 30 fight missions, and escaped the nation underneath menace of loss of life from the Taliban, leaving his younger household behind.
Lord Richards, a former chief of defence workers and head of UK armed forces, instructed The Independent: “Those who fought together in Afghanistan, the Afghan, British and other coalition forces did so with unwavering courage, dedication and solidarity. They forged a fellowship in battle. We need to stand by each other at times of need and continue to show that solidarity now.”
Appealing on to Suella Braverman, he went on: “To deport this brave man would be so contrary to British instincts that I am confident the home secretary would do the right thing and allow him to remain here. Anything less than that would be a travesty of justice.”
Lord Richards with the Queen in 2012
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Lord Richards’ intervention follows various senior army, political and diplomatic voices who’ve joined within the name to assist the pilot. Rishi Sunak promised to look into the case when he was requested about it by a choose committee.
As head of Isaf (International Security Assistance Force) in Afghanistan, Lord Richards was the primary non-American to command US forces for the reason that Second World War.
He has maintained shut contact with Afghanistan and its individuals and has suggested various worldwide organisations on the nation. He has additionally commanded Nato’s “sword arm” – the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.
His army profession had not been with out controversy. In 2000 he was accountable for a army power despatched to rescue British and different international nationals trapped within the bloody civil warfare in Sierra Leone.
He determined the British army couldn’t abandon the individuals of Sierra Leone as militias, who have been finishing up murders and mutilations, descended on the capital Freetown. Without orders from London, he intervened along with his forces and saved the town.
Richards confronted criticism from some Whitehall mandarins and a few within the army hierarchy. However, public response within the UK and Sierra Leone was overwhelmingly optimistic. He later acquired the DSO (Distinguished Service Order) army honour for the Sierra Leone mission.
An Afghan pilot threatened with deportation to Rwanda is urging Rishi Sunak to let him keep within the UK
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The Afghan fighter pilot, who we aren’t naming for the protection of his household in Afghanistan, mentioned he had no selection however to journey to the UK by way of a small boat as a result of there have been no viable secure routes.
He mentioned that he felt he had been “forgotten” by the American and British forces that he labored alongside. “We are not Taliban, we are not Isis, so why are they leaving us like this?” he instructed The Independent.
In an e-mail to the pilot, a Home Office official mentioned that it had proof that he had travelled by way of various different European international locations earlier than reaching the UK.
They mentioned this might have “consequences for whether your claim is admitted to the UK asylum system”. The authorities has mentioned that it’s going to ship Afghans to Rwanda if it decides that passing by way of France makes them “inadmissible” for asylum within the UK.
The e-mail added: “[The pilot] may also be removable to Rwanda under the terms of the Migration and Economic Development Partnership between Rwanda and UK.”
It defined that the Home Office “may also share your personal data with Rwanda in order to ask Rwanda, another country we consider to be safe, whether it would admit you”.
He has now utilized to remain within the UK underneath the Afghan relocations and help coverage (Arap), which is designed to resettle these employed by British forces or those that “materially” contributed to the success of UK operations in Afghanistan.
Afghans are actually the biggest nationality of small boat migrants, authorities figures present, with 909 of them making the journey through the first three months of this yr.
The pilot is fearful for his household who’re nonetheless in Afghanistan
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The Home Office’s most important resettlement pathway for Afghans to come back to the UK has solely introduced 22 individuals right here for the reason that 2021 evacuation.
Lord Richards joins greater than 20 senior army chiefs and politicians in backing The Independent’s marketing campaign to let the lieutenant keep within the UK.
Veterans charity The Royal British Legion has additionally urged Britain to “honour its commitment” to assist Afghan warfare heroes who labored with the British.
Former head of the military General Lord Richard Dannatt, former Nato chief Lord Robertson, and General Sir Richard Barrons, a former chief of joint operations who served in Afghanistan, have additionally urged the federal government to look into the pilot’s case.
