An Afghan refugee and his family risk deportation to Afghanistan, where they fear for their safety after the father’s association with British special forces was exposed in a data breach. Authorities in Pakistan are deporting undocumented migrants, but the family's pending application for relocation to the UK has not been addressed.
Afghan Refugee Fears Deportation to Taliban Threat Due to UK Data Breach
Afghan Refugee Fears Deportation to Taliban Threat Due to UK Data Breach
A man whose details were leaked in a UK data breach faces imminent deportation from Pakistan, prompting fears for his life from Taliban retribution due to his past association with British forces.
An Afghan man, whose identity was leaked in a UK data breach, has been detained in Pakistan for imminent deportation with his family, raising grave concerns about their safety upon return to Afghanistan. The man is reported to have served in special forces known as the Triples, who collaborated with British military units.
His son, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, expressed urgent fears that their family would face violence from the Taliban if deported. In a written statement, the Taliban government assures that all Afghans can "live in the country without any fear," but a recent UN report titled "No safe haven" questions the reliability of these claims.
The family, having applied for the UK’s Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) shortly after the Taliban regained power in August 2021, remains in limbo since their biometrics were recorded in October 2024. They have encountered repeated delays from UK authorities.
With the Pakistani government determined to expel "illegal foreign nationals," Rayan managed to evade capture from the police by hiding while his family was taken to a detention facility. He describes a harrowing scene where relatives were separated and informed of their impending deportation.
The UK Ministry of Defence has refrained from commenting on individual cases, yet reassures its commitment to supporting individuals eligible for relocation. This comes amid growing frustration from Pakistani officials regarding the delay in relocating Afghan refugees.
As of September 2023, Pakistan reported returning over a million individuals to Afghanistan as part of its "Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan." The UNHCR has called for the process of returning Afghans to be safe, dignified, and voluntary, emphasizing that those with genuine protection needs should not be forcibly sent back.
Rayan’s family represents a growing fear among many Afghans subject to the data breach, with experts and political figures in the UK urging immediate action to ensure their safety and support their relocation.
