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Afghanistan: FCDO Update
06 September 2021
Lead MP
Dominic Raab
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Foreign Affairs
Other Contributors: 52
At a Glance
Dominic Raab raised concerns about afghanistan: fcdo update in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The UK has evacuated over 15,000 people from Afghanistan between August 15-29, including more than 8,000 British nationals, nearly 5,000 Afghans who served the UK and their dependants, and about 500 special cases. The evacuation efforts began in April with advice for British nationals to leave and the launch of the Afghan relocations and assistance policy scheme, helping over 17,000 people in total since then. The minister praised the troops, diplomats, and civil servants involved. Post-evacuation priorities include securing safe passage out of the country for remaining eligible cases, with ongoing work through diplomatic channels and a commitment to holding the Taliban accountable on issues like terrorism, human rights, and women's rights. Funding includes £30 million for support in neighbouring countries and £286 million in aid for Afghanistan this year.
Lisa Nandy
Lab
Wigan
Question
The shadow minister sought clarity from the Foreign Secretary regarding advice to people trying to leave Afghanistan, specifically British nationals still there and security for embassy staff. She also asked about diplomatic progress on safe passage through airports and questioned whether checks initially done under Operation Pitting are now being reneged upon by requiring additional ones.
Minister reply
The minister acknowledged the need for urgent clarity but did not provide specific answers, indicating ongoing work to secure safe passage and engagement with international partners. He emphasised the importance of holding the Taliban accountable on terrorism, human rights, and women's rights.
Gareth Johnson
Con
Dartford
Question
The MP asked about the number of British nationals still in Afghanistan and the eligibility criteria for special cases under ARAP.
Minister reply
The minister stated that efforts are being made to process eligible Afghans via third countries as quickly as possible, subject to necessary security checks.
Lisa Nandy
Lab
Wigan
Question
These have been a painful and sobering few weeks. Had it not been for the heroic efforts of the armed forces as well as the brave diplomats and civil servants involved in Operation Pitting, many more lives would have been lost and many more people left behind... May I just say to the Foreign Secretary that the co-ordination between the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence, despite some very hard-working civil servants on the ground who are working round the clock, is still appalling? ... In the cold, hard light of what has unfolded over this summer, surely it is time for him to rethink his approach to the way that Britain engages with the rest of the world.
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Lady for what she said about the efforts of our UK forces and the cross-Whitehall teams who have delivered the biggest evacuation in living memory... The hon. Lady also asked about correspondence. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear, we will have replied to all MPs’ emails received by 30 August asking for an update by today. That will signpost them to the specific advice relevant to the particular case that they are raising... Of course we will make sure that we check the eligibility of those who want to come to the UK, so that seats on planes go to those we want to come, those who are eligible to come and those we need to come, and we will also make sure that the security checks are in place so that we avoid the wrong kind of people coming to the UK... The reality is that, if we want to influence the Taliban in the most effective way possible, we need a broader caucus, particularly with regional countries that have a relationship with the Taliban, to exercise the maximum moderating influence, and that is just what we are doing.
Alyn Smith
SNP
Ochil and South Perthshire
Question
I constructively suggest that there needs to be a proper review of how adequate communications were with Members during the evacuation. I am glad to see the new resettlement scheme moving, but 20,000 people over the coming years is unclear, either meaning it will close early or have an annual quota. The family reunion aspect and counting towards the numbers are crucial points for Afghans already here or concerned. On policy coherence, the Nationality and Borders Bill penalises many Afghans arriving by other routes.
Minister reply
Correspondence issues were due to a surge of cases and requests during evacuation. The resettlement scheme plans 5,000 this year with 20,000 over several years, on top of the ARAP scheme. We provide £30 million aid to neighbouring countries for refugees and encourage others to do the same. Legislative checks are in place for a responsible approach.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Question
What read-across does he see between this situation and the Syrian resettlement programme? What measures has he discussed with the UN to triage people, so that we take from among the most vulnerable?
Minister reply
We are consulting the UN, including speaking with the Secretary-General and his special envoy for Afghanistan. We will learn lessons from the Syrian precedent but acknowledge different circumstances in Afghanistan. Home Secretary will set out further details.
Harriet Harman
Lab
Cambridge
Question
How many have already asked to come here because of the Taliban, given that the Afghan citizens resettlement scheme is not yet open? How will the Government decide who gets into the 5,000 cap?
Minister reply
It's difficult to give a precise number due to duplication in emails and correspondence. The Home Secretary and I are carefully looking at criteria to prioritise the most vulnerable with UK links, alongside co-ordination with the United Nations.
Alicia Kearns
Con
Rutland and Stamford
Question
What reassurance can he give that we are doing all we can to prevent other partner countries from recognising the Taliban? Will he consider using the conflict centre for an international mechanism for atrocity management?
Minister reply
We will not recognise the Taliban and encourage allies and partners in the region to set early tests for engagement. Holding the Taliban accountable is important, but we need humanitarian access on the ground.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Question
Did the Foreign Secretary agree with what the Prime Minister said to the House earlier, when he talked about the Taliban cracking down on terrorism?
Minister reply
There is clearly a difference between the Taliban and groups such as ISIS-K and al-Qaeda. If the Taliban want to be an effective Administration, they will have to live up to their commitments to avoid Afghanistan becoming a harbour or safe haven for terrorism.
Question
Does my right hon. Friend agree that unlimited objectives with only limited means will always run the risk of failure? Does he agree that the failure in this case has done awful damage to our values and reinforced the appeal of our enemies?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. The integrated review not just a strategic policy for the United Kingdom for the 21st century on tech, trade, and as a force for good, but it takes a rigorous approach to reconcile ends with means.
Question
Does he accept that it is simply unacceptable that he did not call Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, in the six months before the Taliban takeover given the UK’s overwhelming interests in the region at a time of crisis?
Minister reply
We have an excellent relationship with Pakistan. I saw Prime Minister Khan and Foreign Minister Qureshi on my visit last week, and we were in constant contact.
Question
May I encourage my right hon. Friend to urge the Home Office to publish the details of the Afghanistan resettlement scheme as quickly as possible so that these families know where they stand?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Cases like those she describes could be eligible under the nationality criteria or separately under the resettlement scheme, depending on the nature of the dependants.
Ellie Reeves
Lab
Lewisham West and East Dulwich
Question
When I contact the Foreign Office about these cases, all I get is cut-and-paste responses. What will the Foreign Secretary do to guarantee their security? Will he give his word that these British nationals will get home safely?
Minister reply
Of course we will do everything we conceivably can. We are committed both through our efforts with third countries and also in seeing when and how Kabul Airport can be reopened, to make sure that we do everything that we can for her cases.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Question
What succour will the Foreign Secretary give to the resistance in the Panjshir?
Minister reply
We are watching the developments on the ground very carefully, but I do not think it is the right thing at the moment to start supporting other groups.
Question
Can we have a categoric, cast-iron assurance from the Secretary of State today that no one entitled to support to leave when the routes are open will ever be turned away for the absence of a piece of paper or an electronic record?
Minister reply
We will do everything we can to get those who are eligible home, but we are not going to dispense with the basic checks that we need to ensure that we keep this country safe from those who are not eligible and would put our safety at risk.
Question
What assessment have the Government made of the ways in which the Taliban may be using technologies such as social media to track opponents and spread disinformation?
Minister reply
The new iteration of the Taliban are a more sophisticated operator in many ways, but it also creates new risks and threats, which we will monitor carefully with our allies.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham and Chislehurst
Question
We had 18 months’ notice that this situation would come about, but the organisation here was chaotic. What of those people we had an obligation to in Afghanistan—the Afghanistan nationals who worked with our Government? How many of them did we get out before 15 August?
Minister reply
From April onwards we relocated nearly 2,000 people under the ARAP programme. Our timing was in sync with our NATO allies and no one—not even the Taliban—had expected them to gain ground as rapidly as they did.
Richard Graham
Con
Gloucester
Question
On the resettlement of Afghan families, how confident is the Foreign Secretary that agreement will be reached with the Taliban and neighbouring countries for safe passage across borders?
Minister reply
The Foreign Secretary acknowledged the challenge but stated they are working on arrangements to process British cases and engaging with regional partners. The airport situation and security concerns complicate matters.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Question
Are Hazaras considered a vulnerable group for resettlement? How are safe passages being secured beyond the border?
Minister reply
Hazaras and other ethnic groups will be considered based on risk factors. The Foreign Secretary is engaging with regional partners to secure safe passage across borders.
Question
Is there any possibility of using Herat or other Afghan exit routes for refugees to reach safety?
Minister reply
The Foreign Secretary remains open to dialogue with Iran and is testing the relationship, aiming to address wider issues that benefit both countries.
Question
Will the resettlement programme be inclusive of people with disabilities and those from religious or ethnic minorities?
Minister reply
The Foreign Secretary acknowledged the importance of inclusivity and urged the MP to send recommendations for consideration by the Home Secretary.
Question
How can aid be sent without risk of abuse by Taliban?
Minister reply
Aid will not be given to Taliban. They need to give assurances on a permissive environment for aid agencies to continue operations.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Question
What steps will ensure British nationals and eligible Afghans safely cross borders?
Minister reply
The Foreign Secretary is speaking with regional ministers to set up a workable system for safe passage, including in Uzbekistan.
Question
Will the Government use every tool to protect women and girls’ rights in Afghanistan?
Minister reply
The Foreign Secretary confirmed efforts will be made to consolidate social gains and exercise maximum moderating influence on regional partners.
Question
Will the Home Office ensure all Afghan appeals are assessed for asylum eligibility before court hearings?
Minister reply
The Foreign Secretary acknowledged over 17,000 people have been taken and more will be considered over the next few years.
Question
Will the Government take special interest in protecting girls' education and women's rights against Taliban threats?
Minister reply
The Foreign Secretary affirmed willingness to protect social gains, including music activities for women and girls.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Question
What measures will be taken if training camps and terror networks return in Afghanistan?
Minister reply
The Foreign Secretary stated they reserve the right to exercise self-defence and will monitor Taliban actions carefully.
Greg Clark
Con
Islington North
Question
Like every Member of this House, I have many constituents who are desperately concerned that they have friends and relatives at imminent risk of reprisals by the Taliban. For them, the crisis is now, not evenly spaced over five years. Will the Foreign Secretary and his colleagues therefore show some flexibility to ensure that, as part of the scheme being worked up, we can rescue those at the time of need?
Minister reply
I understand my right hon. Friend’s point. It is right to have the resettlement scheme over a number of years, because history tells us that we will be dealing with this challenge for some time. We have also catered for and addressed the immediate short term. We have got more than 17,000 people out, including about 500 special cases of Chevening scholars, female judges, female rights activists, journalists and many others. We are trying to get the right balance between a sustainable long-term strategy and dealing immediately with those fleeing persecution.
Alison Thewliss
SNP
Glasgow Central
Question
Many of my constituents’ families are still facing difficulties in getting out, including the family of a 17-year-old constituent who made it to the visa application centre in Islamabad only to find that part of their family reunion paperwork had been lost by officials. Others are awaiting DNA tests and tuberculosis paperwork. What will the Foreign Secretary do to address the paperwork issue? Can I have a meeting urgently to discuss the other 85 cases and over 100 Afghans that my office is supporting?
Minister reply
That is one of the reasons why I went to Islamabad, where I talked to the high commission team dealing with and supporting those applications and cases. We are trying to work through them as assiduously as we can. If the hon. Lady has examples of cases that she feels have not been handled properly, she should send them to me and I or Lord Ahmad will be happy to sit down with her.
Stretford and Urmston
Question
I thank my right hon. Friend for the work that he is doing and that his team are continuing to do. I appreciate that it is incredibly difficult, but can he give any further detail on his assessment of the timeframe to help those British nationals still stuck in Kabul?
Minister reply
I appreciate what my hon. Friend says. The reality is that it will depend on two factors. The first is the ability to get Kabul up and running. That is in many ways the more straightforward, because by engaging with the Qataris in particular, we could not only get easier and more direct access out of the country but look at what we could do on eligibility pre-checks and such things.
James Murray
Lab Co-op
Ealing North
Question
As of this morning, I had received urgent, heartbreaking pleas from 289 constituents of mine about well over 1,500 of their loved ones desperate to get out of Afghanistan. My team and I have been doing everything we can to help, but we need the Government to respond and to be clear about what options people might have. Can the Secretary of State make it clear whether the response the Prime Minister promised today will include a specific response to the inquiries that I and other MPs have raised, and can he confirm when the eligibility for the Afghan citizens’ resettlement scheme will be published?
Minister reply
We will do everything we can to support the hon. Member, and indeed hon. Members across the House. The thing to understand is that there are three separate ways of being eligible to come to the UK. We want to triage the cases, and point people in the direction of the right port of call and give them the right advice for each one of those three channels, rather than mixing them together, given that they do not have the same eligibility criteria.
Simon Jupp
Con
St Albans
Question
Does the Foreign Secretary agree with me that it is strange to hear the Labour party criticise the Government for unnecessary withdrawal from Afghanistan when the shadow Foreign Secretary said that the mission had “outlived its usefulness” only in July?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes a good point. The truth is that throughout this crisis we have had a litany of critique without really very serious or credible suggestions for doing anything alternative. The reality is also—I want to recognise this—that beyond the Labour Front Bench there are hon. Members across the House who have very legitimate and genuine concerns, and we are doing everything we can to support those.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Question
Does the Foreign Secretary believe he would be more successful in his attempts to persuade the neighbouring countries of Afghanistan to keep or indeed make sure that their borders are open to refugees if our country took more than a desultory 5,000 as a limit, and saw that as a minimum number of refugees we would take rather than a maximum?
Minister reply
I understand the point the hon. Gentleman makes, but I think there is no country proportionally doing more, if we take not only what we are doing on the resettlement scheme, but the 17,000 who have come back to the UK and the £30 million that I announced at the end of last week to support those third countries. I think it is right that we do our bit, but I have to say to him that I also think it is right, as a matter of policy and of moral responsibility, to try to allow refugees to be settled closer to their home so that in the future they may be able to return.
Henry Smith
Con
Crawley
Question
What assessment has my right hon. Friend made of China’s growing involvement in Afghanistan, the geopolitical consequences and the UK’s response to that?
Minister reply
I have spoken to my counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and I will speak to him again in the near future. There is a lot of talk about how China wants to rush in and fill the vacuum in Afghanistan, but I have to say that I am not entirely convinced that it does want to bear the entirety of the burden, whether it is the security and the terrorist burden or the financial burden of a country in such a precarious, fragile position. While we have many areas that are challenging with China, actually this is something where there are some commonalities of views and interests.
Afzal Khan
Lab
Manchester Rusholme
Question
With the Taliban takeover, many of my constituents who are Hazara Shi’a fear for their families’ safety. There is also a minority Uyghur community in Afghanistan who are in hiding, scared that they will be handed over to China. What steps is the Foreign Secretary taking to protect these minorities?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman, who I think raises a very real issue. As I have already said to the House, we will make sure that vulnerability based on ethnicity will be considered in the resettlement scheme, and it is crucial—and I refer to the G7 paper the UK has put forward—that one of the things on which we will have to judge the Taliban and one of the early tests will be whether they are serious about being a more inclusive Government, and that will mean human rights obviously in relation to women but also their treatment of ethnic minorities.
David Simmonds
Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Question
When we designed the Syrian resettlement scheme, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees played a crucial role as an independent and neutral party to identify those eligible for resettlement and then make the connections with the authorities of the countries willing to take them in, including the UK. What discussions have taken place between the Government and the UNHCR doing this work, and if it is my right hon. Friend’s view that the UNHCR is not going to be able to undertake that in this different situation, who does he feel is best placed to undertake that key role?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend raises a good point. The Prime Minister has spoken to the UN Secretary-General, including on this, and I spoke to Jean Arnault, the special representative on Afghanistan. Without giving all the details, I can say that of course the relationship with the UN will be one of the critical factors we consider in shaping the resettlement scheme.
Stuart McDonald
SNP
Glasgow South
Question
The Government’s Nationality and Borders Bill would see hundreds, possibly thousands, of Afghan asylum seekers arriving in this country in the months ahead and being prosecuted in criminal courts and imprisoned for up to four years. How can the Foreign Secretary possibly justify that proposal?
Minister reply
We want to be a safe haven for those fleeing persecution, but we also want to encourage people to take legal and lawful routes, and that is why we have set them out. We do not want to encourage the kind of situation we see across the channel; we want to ensure that people come through the right channels. That is the right, balanced approach, and I think it is what our constituents would expect.
Mike Wood
Con
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Question
While the Taliban’s PR skills seem to have improved over the past 20 years, it is not yet clear that the new regime is any less evil or oppressive. Does the Foreign Secretary agree that there should not be any question of either Britain or our international partners recognising the Taliban Government until we can be sure they will meet their commitments on human rights, terrorism and humanitarian access?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend nails it: we do not intend to recognise the Taliban. The UK Government do not as a matter of practice recognise Governments, and the reason why is that that allows us to engage, and measure and calibrate our level of engagement, based on what the authorities do, not just what they say. The issues and tests that he identifies are the right ones, and we will be watching very carefully what the Taliban do in the weeks and months ahead.
Kirsten Oswald
SNP
West Tyrone
Question
The MP inquired about the evacuation of British Council employees, former employees and their families. She noted that even current staff are not eligible for early relocation despite putting their lives at risk to support the British Council.
Minister reply
Mr Raab clarified that they have been willing to look into individual cases based on association levels but encouraged the MP to write with specific examples if she believes these cases were mishandled.
Mark Pawsey
Con
Rugby
Question
The MP asked about the Taliban's characteristics and whether they would have waited out a prolonged occupation by allied forces.
Minister reply
Mr Raab stated that while it is difficult to assess, the focus should be on testing if the Taliban can govern inclusively and demonstrate practical administrative skills.
Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Question
The MP questioned about engagement with regional security collaborations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and Collective Security Treaty Organisation.
Minister reply
Mr Raab indicated that this would be more in the Home Secretary's domain, but they are closely assessing the nature of the security threat from all sources.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
The MP was concerned about revealing large numbers of names of people with claims to come to the UK to the Taliban until their intentions are verified.
Minister reply
Mr Raab acknowledged this point, noting that evidence from past evacuations suggests the Taliban can give assurances and comply.
Janet Daby
Lab
Lewisham East
Question
The MP asked if immediate family members of British nationals are eligible to leave Afghanistan and for more details on exit routes and timescales.
Minister reply
Mr Raab confirmed that dependants have been included in evacuations but noted that due to third country border closures, challenges remain. He emphasised ongoing discussions with regional partners.
Rehman Chishti
Con
Gillingham and Rainham
Question
The MP thanked the Foreign Secretary for his work and inquired about timelines for setting up a contact group or broader coalition.
Minister reply
Mr Raab stated they are considering a P5 consensus along with regional partners, despite their differing relationships.
Alan Brown
SNP
Kilmarnock and Loudoun
Question
The MP asked about risk and needs assessments for resettlement numbers and the selection criteria for identifying the 5000 most in need.
Minister reply
Mr Raab noted they are closely working with the Home Office to provide advice on eligibility and medium-term support.
Siobhan Baillie
Con
Stroud
Question
The MP raised concerns about orphans and unaccompanied minors at risk of radicalisation and abuse in Afghanistan.
Minister reply
Mr Raab affirmed their efforts to look at what can be done for orphans, focusing on reuniting them with families where safe.
Meg Hillier
Lab Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
Question
The MP asked about expediting cases already in the system to avoid clogging up infrastructure in third countries.
Minister reply
Mr Raab agreed that if checks are already done, they want to be ready for flights out of Kabul or access through a third country.
Rob Butler
Con
Aylesbury
Question
The MP praised local journalists and inquired about their inclusion as special cases.
Minister reply
Mr Raab confirmed that journalists are included among the 500 special cases evacuated.
Stephen Flynn
SNP
Aberdeen South
Question
The MP criticised the Foreign Secretary for going on holiday despite being aware of the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.
Minister reply
Mr Raab defended his actions, stating that while they followed advice and prepared contingency plans, their central planning assumption was based on a six-month peace process.
Brendan O'Hara
SNP
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Question
Spirit Aid, the charity founded by David Hayman, has people stranded in Afghanistan. The MP asks the Secretary of State to confirm whether emails were opened and when an update will be provided on their status.
Minister reply
The backlog of emails was due to the surge of new contacts during the evacuation window. The government committed to responding to all hon. Members' emails by close of play today with relevant triaging and signposting.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Question
A constituent was left behind in Afghanistan, unable to enter Tajikistan or Uzbekistan despite being instructed to go there. The MP asks for confirmation of communications with those countries and when an agreement will be reached.
Minister reply
The Foreign Secretary confirms that they have spoken to all relevant countries about third-country facilities for UK nationals and other ARAP cases, addressing concerns about a flow of refugees.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
More than 200 missionaries from different parts of the world have come to Afghanistan. With the fall of Government, Christians are under threat and fear for their lives. The MP asks what can be done to help these Christians get out.
Minister reply
Individuals fleeing persecution or fearing for their life due to religious belief will be considered in the resettlement scheme. The minister emphasises that providing reassurance to different communities is a critical test for the Taliban and that they will hold the Taliban accountable.
Shadow Comment
Lisa Nandy
Shadow Comment
The shadow minister thanked those involved in the evacuation but raised concerns about unclear advice to Afghans, delays in communication between departments, eligibility criteria under ARAP, and security checks. She questioned diplomatic progress regarding airport oversight without a foreign military presence and aid access given Taliban restrictions on women workers. Nandy also asked for more information on intelligence gathering methods post-evacuation and national security implications of sharing intelligence with countries like China and Russia.
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