The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 7th July 2022:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the food security crisis in Afghanistan and the prospect of famine.
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about food security in Afghanistan”
The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 7th July 2022:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much aid they have provided to Afghanistan since 1 January.
Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans asks about aid to Afghanistan”The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answer on 6th July 2022:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked Her Majesty’s government:
The Bishop of Durham asked a question on refugees fleeing the country during a debate on the ongoing humanitarian situation in Afghanistan on 9th February 2022:
The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, it is very good how much is being given. Operation Herrick cost us at least £22 billion and we managed to find that, so I hope we can release more generous aid rapidly. There is also a humanitarian issue for Afghans who have been freed and are now here but whose families are still in hiding for fear in Afghanistan. Can the Minister update us on how those people are going to be got out of Afghanistan?
Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan”
The Bishop of Worcester received the following written answers on 11th October 2021:
The Lord Bishop of Worcester asked Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of (1) the current levels of internally displaced persons in Afghanistan, and (2) current and future refugee flows from Afghanistan to (a) Pakistan, (b) Tajikistan, (c) Iran, (d) Uzbekistan, and (e) Turkmenistan.
Continue reading “Bishop of Worcester asks about current humanitarian situation in Afghanistan”
On 7th September 2021, during a debate on the situation in Afghanistan, the Bishop of Durham asked about the provision of commercial air services to evacuate people from the country, and support for local authorities in providing housing to incoming refugees:
The Lord Bishop of Durham: My Lords, sometimes very unexpected conversations occur. On my journey down from the north-east this morning, I found myself spending two hours talking with someone who had done seven tours of service in Afghanistan and nearly 10 years’ service in security. It is painful to talk to someone who is showing you on their phone the photos of them in the cargo plane coming out and hear his story.
Continue reading “Bishop of Durham asks about efforts to evacuate and relocate Afghan refugees”The Archbishop of York asked a question on the expedition of new and existing asylum claims for Afghan nationals in the UK on 6th September 2021, during a debate on the progress of bilateral return agreements with EU states for the return of asylum seekers arriving in the United Kingdom:
The Lord Archbishop of York: My Lords, care and justice for asylum seekers is obviously a matter very close to the heart of the Church, Jesus himself being a refugee. Last week, the Church of England published a toolkit for the many churches that have asked us what they can do to support Afghan refugees. The Minister will know that the Church and other faith communities are among the main support works for asylum seekers. There are more than 3,000 Afghan nationals with existing asylum claims waiting for a decision, some of whom have been waiting a long time. What steps are the Government taking to expedite procedures for dealing with existing or new asylum claims by Afghan nationals, given the very changed situation and the particular stress and trauma felt by these people?
Continue reading “Archbishop of York asks about expedition of Afghan refugee claims”During a meeting of the House of Lords on 18th August 2021 to discuss the situation in Afghanistan following withdrawal of international troops and the Taliban entering Kabul, the Archbishop of Canterbury paid tribute to the people of Afghanistan and urged that the government policy towards refugees be guided by morality rather than numbers:
The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, I look forward especially to hearing noble and gallant Lords, diplomats and others with local knowledge of Afghanistan. We rightly remember the courage, suffering and sacrifice over the past 20 years and the courage being shown currently by our ambassador and service- people in Afghanistan, together with their colleagues, and reporters.
When we look back, I remember a cathedral full for the funeral of a soldier: family and many colleagues silent in dignity, some wounded, mourning their loss. The failure we face today is not military or diplomatic—they did all they could—it is political. Recovery and hope will come to Afghanistan with our supporting commitment to the neediest and most desperate. We have proven capacities in soft as well as hard power. We owe an absolute, lavishly generous moral covenant to all those who are at risk because they served with us in Afghanistan or took seriously our frequently professed commitment to its future, women and girls included.
Continue reading “Archbishop of Canterbury urges that “morals, not numbers” guide UK refugee policy towards Afghans”
On the 5th May, Lord Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon asked Her Majesty’s Government “what assessment they had made of the treatment of Afghan interpreters seeking to be housed in the United Kingdom.” The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Alan Smith, asked whether the Government could do more to recognize the value Afghan interpreters have provided for British military efforts.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans: My Lords, does the Minister not recognise that, with this story that is going on, not only do we owe them a debt of honour but what it is going to mean is that, when future conflict is going on, other people will think, “I dare not take the risk”? As well as being the right thing to do, this is actually in our own interests, because we need these people when we go into conflict to help us and co-operate with us. This is a long-term strategy. Could the Minister comment on that, please? Continue reading “Bishop of St Albans supports call for UK to welcome Afghan interpreters”
On 18th March 2015 the Bishop of Derby, Rt Rev Alastair Redfern, spoke in a debate on the protection of interpreters and translators working in conflict zones. His speech is below, along with the final section of the Minister’s response.
The Lord Bishop of Derby: I, too, thank the noble Baroness, Lady Coussins, for securing this debate and for introducing it so helpfully. It seems to me that interpreters are like priests; they are mediators and help connect cultures and communities. In this case, they helped campaigns unfold properly and as planned. It is a key role. As we have heard, especially from the noble Lord, Lord Ashdown, it is a very risky role, on the front line in every sense, and we must be thankful for the courage and commitment of those who sign up for it.
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