SDLP MPs seek support for Afghanistan Human Rights Commission

SDLP MPs Colum Eastwood and Claire Hanna have written to Foreign Secretary Dominic Rabb today appealing for urgent assistance for staff at the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) who are under threat following the Taliban’s takeover of the country.

Colum Eastwood and Claire Hanna have sought support for the 392 AIHRC staff whose work places them at immediate risk of attack.

Said the Foyle MP: “The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission is a well known and highly esteemed human rights NGO operating under internationally recognised principles in the region.

“Their work has placed them at the front of efforts to combat systemic human rights abuses including recording instances of state violence against women and children as well as monitoring civilian murders during the recent conflict.

“Their work is diametrically opposed to the character and tactics of the Taliban and, as a result, they are in immediate danger.

“Today we have written to Foreign Secretary Dominic Rabb urging him to intervene and provide safe refuge for the Commission’s 392 staff, including 90 members of staff who have been identified as being at high or very high risk.

“The British Government has a moral duty to act. The military withdrawal from Afghanistan has been a disaster and has placed human rights workers in immediate peril.

“Providing sanctuary to these people is of the utmost importance as they have been at the forefront of addressing Human Rights abuses across the state.”

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