CODE 13.77
Um Kartor
Reference..
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RCC
HV
1 1 NOV 1936
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5/13
FROM: J Poston, SAD
DATE:
5 November 1986
CC:
Assistants in: MVD
MED
SED
WED
HKD
SEAD
EAD
SALD
CAÍD
ECD(P)
ECD (I) APD
International and
Europe Unit
Mr Machin, ODA
Mr Fifoot, Legal Advisers
Mrs Rogerson, UND
REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS: PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS: AFGHANISTAN
1937
refugee or
Your minute of 30 October asked for a brief note on re asylum seeker implications of the situation in Afghanistan.
1.
2. In short there are about 3 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan and over a further million in Iran. The concentration of these
We are refugees in Pakistan is the largest in the world.
contributing to the UNHCR programme to assist these refugees - as well as providing humanitarian aid through other organisations such as the ICRC. We are maintaining our aid for Afghan refugees at about £5 million a year and are encouraging our allies and partners to maintain their own levels of support. Not only are there strong humanitarian reasons for the aid but it is important to demonstrate to Pakistan that international concern over the Soviet occupation of
We also Afghanistan - now 7 years old has not declined. contribute to the UNHCR programme for Afghan refugees in Iran (£100,000 donation this year).
-
3.
So far as Afghan asylum seekers are concerned, if they seek
Our asylum from a safe place (ie Pakistan) their case is weakened. main concern is that no asylum seeker should be sent back to Kabul as a result of our decision. Because of the special difficulties faced by Afghans, because of the Soviet occupation, the granting of "exceptional leave to remain" to Afghans is possible in certain
circumstances.
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