The United Kingdom has backed out of a promise to help Afghan refugees reunite with families they were forced to leave behind after the Taliban takeover, despite condemnation of their treatment.
Ministers agreed to act after an outcry over the plight of Afghans — including Muhammad who, Devex has previously reported, is still separated from his wife and two infant children by a loophole in humanitarian regulations, two and a half years after his airlift out of Kabul.
Parliament was told applications for family reunions would finally begin “in the first half of 2024” — but the U.K. government is now refusing to stand by the commitment, saying only that “further information will be made available in due course.”
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About the author
Rob Merrick
Rob Merrick is the U.K. Correspondent for Devex, covering FCDO and British aid. He reported on all the key events in British politics of the past 25 years from Westminster, including the financial crash, the Brexit fallout, the "Partygate" scandal, and the departures of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. Rob has worked for The Independent and the Press Association and is a regular commentator on TV and radio. He can be reached at rob.merrick@devex.com.
