A MOTION submitted to Holyrood expressed solidarity with Afghans as the Taliban surge through the country following the withdrawal of troops.
The motion on "Showing Solidarity with Afghans Living in Scotland" was brought by SNP MSP Bob Doris.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon says Scotland will step up amid Afghanistan crisis
It was supported by the SNP's Colin Beattie, Stephanie Callaghan, Natalie Don, James Dornan, Annabelle Ewing, Jim Fairlie, Christine Grahame, Bill Kidd, John Mason, Paul McLennan, Stuart McMillan, Audrey Nicoll, Emma Roddick, Michelle Thomson, Evelyn Tweed and Elena Whitham, and Green MSP Maggie Chapman.
The motion reads: "That the Parliament expresses its grave concerns over the unfolding events in Afghanistan, which it understands has witnessed an increased Taliban offensive across the country, leading to the fall of several regional capitals from Afghan Government control, heavy fighting and the loss of many innocent civilians caught up in the conflict not of their making.
"Further expresses concern over the increased civilian loss of life, which, it understands, was estimated by the UN in July 2021 to be more than 1600 deaths so far in 2021, a 47% rise compared to the same period in 2020, and at emerging reports of many more deaths in recent weeks, including reports of around 900 in Kandahar.
"Notes with alarm that it is considered likely that the death toll will tragically continue to spiral.
"Extends its solidarity to people from Afghanistan living in Glasgow and Scotland at these most worrying of times; believes that many of them, who have made new lives in Scotland, fleeing terror, war and violence, still have friends, family and loved ones in Afghanistan who are now facing the prospect of being forced to flee their homes, increasing violence, an erosion of their civil liberties and danger to their lives.
"Calls on the international community and governments at all levels, with any degree of influence, to urge all involved in the conflict, and currently involved in peace talks, to agree a ceasefire urgently, and for the Taliban to end immediately the reported revenge killings and summary executions and ensure that civil liberties, particularly for women and girls, are protected, and further calls on the international community, including the UK and US governments, to take a speedy, humane and compassionate approach to refugees fleeing Afghanistan, due to the unfolding humanitarian crisis, including all those forced to flee as a result of working alongside UK and US personnel in Afghanistan, irrespective of whether they were directly employed or employed through third parties, including interpreters, security guards, close protection officers and others serving British and American interests, who put their lives on the line for peace, and, it believes, are now at significant risk of being targeted by the Taliban for revenge killings and should not be left without protection."
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