A campaign to protect and defend the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and children and all vulnerable people at risk in the aftermath of allied withdrawal from Afghanistan.
On Tuesday, 24th August, we held a pre-G7 roundtable discussion with ministers, MPs, NGOs, human rights activists and humanitarian experts to make a plan for practical help. We are calling on the UK government to take a lead with the G7 and international allies on three key actions: establishing secure pre-travel hubs and smooth administrative protocol around Kabul airport, setting up a network of local and international agencies to provide alternative safe passage out of Afghanistan for those who cannot leave via Kabul airport; and establishing aid and protections for those who cannot leave at all.
Here are our urgent recommendations for PM Boris Johnson and his team:
Urgently address the situation in Kabul:
Establish pre-travel security hubs around Kabul for vulnerable groups - civil leaders, pregnant women and children, religious minorities, LGBT+, disabled and older people - run by allied military who can escort these people directly to the planes. Human security needs to be prioritized. People will need to be sent to hubs and airlifted to release pressure on the airport.
Extend international presence beyond August 31st and convene multi-national security and military support to back this extension.
Work with allies to ensure safe passage out of Afghanistan:
Coordinate a fully international response.
Establish an Afghanistan International Working Group with allies to create light touch military rapid reaction response to keep vulnerable groups safe.
Work with UN agencies to ensure a muscular response to protection of refugees and internally displaced persons.
Work with local parties, including private sector and others, to create transport options for vulnerable groups as a matter of urgency.
Work with civilians and ex-military with significant local experience to run transport hubs and transport networks.
Work with allies in the region to ensure close coordination for refugees, including support for those who are seeking onward resettlement. Funding and support for resettlement will need to be prioritized.
Provide rapid reaction funding and support for these endeavours.
Ensure support for those who cannot leave Afghanistan:
Increase assistance delivered through NGOs and ensure any sanctions do not prevent the transfer of funds, equipment and personnel necessary for the safe conduct of humanitarian operations.
Get international observers in and humanitarian aid to internally displaced people and vulnerable people.
Work with allies to explore the establishment of in-country safe havens for vulnerable groups such as female civil society workers and ethnic and religious minorities, including the Hazara.