MAW views with great concern the situation in Afghanistan, now that the Taliban have seized power. We hope against hope that the people of Afghanistan will not have to suffer again the cruelties previously meted out by the fundamentalist regime. But even before the takeover, there has been evidence of Taliban brutality and murder of Afghan civilians and surrendered soldiers. (See https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-16/taliban-militants-afghanistan-civilian-torture/100300730 ). Large sections of Afghan civil society are under grave threat and deserve support. There is much that the UK can do, without resorting to the military yet again. Diplomacy, economic sanctions, and the influence of moderate Muslim opinion can all be brought to bear on the situation.
We call on the UK government to suspend the ‘hostile environment’ it is so proud of, and to provide genuine support for refugees from Afghanistan, recognising that that substantial numbers will be seeking asylum, however they arrive here. Serious resources need to be devoted to this issue.
Whatever gloss is put on the situation, yet again, going to war has failed. See the analysis made by MAW President Prof Paul Rogers of this and the other failed wars pursued by the US and its allies since 2001 in his Guardian article here
20.8.21
