World: UK Changes Policy on Relocating Stranded Afghans

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The UK government has reversed its policy on repatriating Afghans living in Pakistan and Iran who are eligible for asylum, according to The Independent. Around 3,000 Afghans, many of whom previously worked for the British army, have been evacuated and are currently residing in Pakistan. The UK government had previously required accommodation arrangements to be made before repatriation, resulting in many Afghans being stuck in Pakistan and Iran. However, the UK government has now pledged to relocate all eligible Afghans, even without confirmed accommodation, as per the British newspaper. This decision was prompted by an ultimatum from the Pakistani government, which stated that all undocumented foreign nationals must leave the country by November 1 or risk deportation. British diplomats have warned their government that refugees cannot be protected from arrest and deportation, leading to two eligible Afghans filing a case against the UK government. During a recent court hearing, it was announced that the UK government will change its policy to allow resettlement without the prior requirement of settled accommodation under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and Afghan Citizen Resettlement Scheme (ACRS). Immigrants will be provided with suitable accommodation, including hotel accommodation if necessary. The relocated Afghans will be housed in armed forces homes in the UK. The UK government had previously instructed government departments to only relocate Afghans if non-hotel accommodation had been arranged, in an effort to cut costs. The UK is currently negotiating with the Pakistani government to expedite the relocation process.

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