Abandoned Afghani translators.

[e21Mark]

I spent an hour chatting to Simon Diggins this morning, after his appearance on the BBC, where he spoke of the plight of Afghani translators being refused entry to the UK. These men have worked alongside our soldiers, helped save a great many lives yet, now we no longer require their services, they are being refused entry to the UK despite their and their families lives being under threat. Surely they deserve to be allowed entry?

[e21Mark]

These interpreters put their lives on the line to assist British, American and other western forces in their efforts to stabilise the country and evidence clearly suggests they are now being tracked down, and tortured or killed. Their role has a particularly symbolic value to the Taliban given that they acted essentially as the face and voice for Western forces and marked them out in the eyes of the Taliban as traitors to their country and as a priority target.

Some of these interpreters worked for as long as 7 years and helped save many British (and allied) lives. Many were also killed or injured whilst serving alongside our soldiers. I believe we are indebted to these people, as do the soldiers alongside whom they served.

[e21Mark]

No doubt, when the time comes that we need translators once again, we'll expect them to come to our aid once again?