According to Amnesty International, the current conflict in Afghanistan has entered its twentieth year and continues to claim large numbers of civilian casualties. Attacks by the Taliban and other armed groups deliberately targeted civilians and civilian objects in violation of international humanitarian law. There has been no accountability for their crimes as impunity persists. The people of Afghanistan need urgent support.
Following the UN High Commission for Refugees’ urgent global appeal for $62.8 million to provide support to people in Afghanistan, the Irish government announced that it would contribute €1 million. Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney announced on 17 August that: “Ireland will continue to engage, including at the UN Security Council, to support peace in Afghanistan and to protect and promote the human rights of all Afghans, especially for women and girls”.
Simon Coveney also met with EU Foreign Ministers in which he expressed Ireland’s grave concern at the situation for women and girls in Afghanistan. A declaration was issued by the Foreign Affairs Council after the meeting reiterating the European Union’s commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights in Afghanistan, in particular those of women and girls, and of minorities. Coveney announced that: “EU member states are coordinating intensively on the evacuation of EU citizens, as well as on Afghan staff working with EU Embassies and organizations. Good progress was made... although the situation on the ground in Kabul remains fluid, including in relation to access to the airport.”
At present, the Irish government has confirmed plans to issue 150 humanitarian visas to Afghan refugees. This is in addition to 45 visas already approved in recent days. It is understood that NGOs may be asked to help find extra spaces for Afghan refugees as well. Moreover, the government is currently examining putting in place a community sponsorship programme that would involve local groups providing support such as housing and helping Afghan refugees access State services.
However, a number of human rights organizations have called on the government to increase the number of resettlement places for Afghan refugees and to expedite international protection applications. Amnesty International is among the many organizations calling for Ireland to commit to resettling a minimum of 1,000 Afghan refugees; suspend visa requirements; speed up family reunification, and other ways to get people to safety and protect those at risk of being targeted by the Taliban. The UN High Commission for Refugees has said that there are around 96,000 Afghan people in need of resettlement around the world.
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