THE SNP conference has urged the UK government to protect Afghan refugees.
Members backed a resolution at Monday’s virtual conference which urged the UK government to go further to protect the thousands of Afghan refugees, and in particular children, who are currently at risk. The resolution passed overwhelmingly by 573 votes to 10.
SNP MSP Kaukab Stewart, who seconded the motion, said that the UK Government needs to “step up” and said the UK response so far had been “woefully inadequate”.
The full topical motion read: “Conference finds the current situation in Afghanistan shocking and distressing.
“Conference notes the inadequate UK response and that Scotland has a long and proud history of welcoming refugees for settlement and as members of our community as new Scots.
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“Conference believes that Afghanis have the right to freedom of thought, as well as in the rights of women and other persecuted groups within Afghanistan.
“Conference urges the UK government to fully adhere to its responsibilities under the 1951 Refugee Convention and Universal Declaration of Human Rights, revaluate their current position and proactively work with the devolved administrations in addressing the safety of refugees, particularly children.”
Russell Maclean, from the London SNP branch, proposed the motion and said it was crucial for the UK Government to try and make a difference for those they are “indebted to help”.
He said: “It's impossible to talk about the situation in Afghanistan without using the words desperate, awful, heartbreaking and cruel.”
Maclean (pictured) added that the Home Office and Priti Patel’s operation Warm Welcome did not go far enough.
He said: “Sadly our low expectations will not be exceeded under current plans.”
Maclean added that in the immediate term “we must insist that the UK Home Office accelerates and expands their commitment to pay back the debt that we owe these people”.
He added that devolved administrations “must be allowed to play our part in this”.
SNP MSP Kaukab Stewart, who seconded the resolution, said: "With Afghanistan in crisis, the UK government must step up.
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"They must fulfil their responsibility to the vulnerable Afghan people – both the refugees that arrive in the UK and those who remain in Afghanistan.
“So far, Boris Johnson and the UK government’s response has been woefully inadequate.
“They must hold true to their international obligations – under the Refugee Convention and the Global Compact on Refugees. Anything short of this would be a complete moral failure and a clear demonstration that you can’t trust the UK when you need their support the most.
SNP MSP Kaukab Stewart seconded the motion during Monday's conference
“The SNP Scottish Government are ready to do everything they can to play their part to ensure the safety of refugees and the people of Scotland are ready to welcome them as members of our community, but it requires the UK government to take a part from its hostile environment policy and welcome in these vulnerable families, individuals and children.
“The Tory Government have moral and ethical responsibility to offer every support to those who are seeking asylum.
"If they do not, their abandonment of the Afghan people will be a historical source of shame for them.”
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