Afghanistan: Canada grants asylum to Afghans who supported the country’s troops | International

The Government of Canada announced a special plan to grant asylum this Friday Afghan nationals supporting Canadian troops During its operations in the Asian country. “Canada You have a responsibility to protect the brave people of Afghanistan who have helped us in our mission, ”said Foreign Minister Mark Carnegie. Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, pointed out that these “quick and decisive” measures would provide a future for these people in the North American country.

The program will provide this protection to different tasks (translators, drivers, maintenance staff, cooks) and their families and supportive Afghan citizens. The Taliban progress Increasingly putting these individuals at risk; In retaliation for their services, they face imprisonment, torture or the death penalty. Defense Minister Harid S. Sajjan stressed that Canada should take care of the safety of these people. The Canadian Armed Forces were in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2014. President last April Joe Biden announced the withdrawal of the last troops No Americans in that country after September 11th.

Minister Mendicino did not establish the exact number of Afghans seeking Canadian asylum, although he pointed out that it was “several thousand”. The three Ministries are working together to identify them and facilitate the necessary procedures. Mendicino said task forces were already beginning their work on Afghan soil. He pointed out, however, that the names of those elected would not be released; For safety reasons there are no travel dates or the way they will be discharged.

The Ottawa announcement comes after weeks of pressure and uncertainty. On July 14, Washington announced that it would begin Exhaust planes for Afghan personnel Supporter of US troops. In Canada, voices within opposition politicians and the military petitioned the government Justin Trudeau Take the step. July 20, daily Toronto star It was revealed that a group of Canadian soldiers of the war in Afghanistan were providing support (logistics and finance) so that many of those who cooperated with them could move between different locations, thus avoiding Taliban control.

On July 16, Marco Mendicino pointed out that the Canadian government would settle certain details regarding this security for Afghan collaborators. On that day, Mendicino announced another special program – Global Nature – to provide Canadian asylum to people at risk for their work in support of human rights. The program will provide immigration status to about 250 people a year; Priority will be given to women, journalists and LGBT activists.

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