To: Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, UK Prime Minister
Cc: Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Affairs, Rt Hon Priti Patel MP, Secretary of State for Home Department and Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP, Secretary of State for Defence
Dear Prime Minister
Subject: Providing Security and Safety for the Civilians in Afghanistan
The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (UK Section) is deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
The current state in Afghanistan is a result of the twenty-year military intervention, which did not assist in solidifying institutions and universal human rights in the face of a hostile militia. The Taliban’s capture of Kabul has put the lives of the Afghan civilians including women and girls, in particular, those women who have been active in advocating for women’s rights, or providing education, at risk. They need our support and collective action.
UK WILPF calls on the UK Government to make every effort to protect all Afghans and recognise that the United Nations should now be invited to mediate in this delicate diplomatic situation so that the Taliban agree to a constitution that recognises human rights, particularly those of women.
We urge the UK Government to:
- Provide consular support including visas, support and safety urgently for Afghan civilians in particular women’s rights activists and advocates, who are facing a high and imminent risk of threat to life.
- Gather cooperation from the international community to open borders and provide safe passages for Afghan civilians, specifically, women, children and the minorities.
- Welcome Afghan refugees and asylum seekers and cease forced removals and reconsider any refused asylum claims, not limited to those who directly worked with the UK Government.
- Use all the tools available to the highest body on peace and security calling an immediate nationwide ceasefire.
We stand in solidarity with the civilians of Afghanistan.
In Peace,
[Insert your name and address]