UK Special Forces Reject Afghan Soldiers Seeking Sanctuary in Britain
Refusal of Sanctuary
UK special forces have hindered Afghan troops’ attempts to seek asylum in Britain, particularly affecting Afghan soldiers who could provide crucial testimony regarding alleged crimes committed by British units. The Ministry of Defence has turned down applications from hundreds of Afghan special forces who were part of elite units, known as the Triples, leaving them vulnerable to violence at the hands of the Taliban post-rejection.
Controversy Surrounding Rejections
An investigation by The Independent unveiled numerous cases where former Afghan soldiers, despite having substantial evidence of collaborating with British forces, were denied relocation to the UK. Veterans minister Johnny Mercer has expressed concerns over the involvement of UK special forces in determining which Afghan Triples are permitted entry to the UK, particularly amidst ongoing investigations into SAS crimes in Afghanistan.
UKSF Role in Approving Applications
According to an internal government document, any application from a Triples member under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy scheme must receive approval from the UK special forces (UKSF). However, sources within the Ministry of Defence disclosed that UKSF’s lack of cooperation led to many rejections, creating an atmosphere of blanket denials for Afghan soldiers seeking resettlement in the UK.
Denials and Decision-Making
While the MoD denies making blanket decisions, attributing flawed outcomes to mistaken judgments, they clarified that final decisions on Arap scheme eligibility were not solely in the hands of UK Special Forces. The MoD plans to reassess around 2,000 applications from Afghan specialist units, including the Triples.
Conflict of Interest Concerns
Former members of the SAS raised alarms over the conflict of interest stemming from UKSF’s authority over Triples’ relocation decisions. The power dynamic raises questions of impartiality, especially as the Triples units could potentially offer crucial testimonies related to the inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by UKSF in Afghanistan.
Ministerial Inquiries
Veterans’ affairs minister Johnny Mercer has voiced worries about UKSF’s role in determining the fate of Afghan Triples seeking refuge in the UK, prompting a closer inspection into the decision-making process. Mercer is scheduled to address the Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan, becoming the first minister to do so, as scrutiny intensifies over the treatment of Afghan special forces seeking sanctuary.
