– 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by on 2016-03-14.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will take any action to evaluate the claims to asylum of Afghan interpreters formerly employed by the British Army who are currently in the Calais Jungle” camp

Lord Bates

We carefully consider all asylum claims made in the UK, including those made by former interpreters with our armed forces in Afghanistan, but we have no obligation under the Refugee Convention to consider asylum claims outside the UK. Those who need international protection should claim in the first safe country they reach so those currently in Calais should claim in France. Where someone seeking asylum elsewhere in the EU can demonstrate they have close family members legally in the UK, they may be entitled to have their claim processed in the UK under the Dublin Regulation.

Separate schemes have existed since 2013 to assist interpreters previously employed by the UK Armed Forces. These apply only to those who have remained in Afghanistan and, in recognition of their unique and exceptional service or the danger interpreters may face because of their work, can lead to relocation to the UK if certain criteria are met.