Afghanistan Crisis: Britain will give shelter to 20 thousand Afghan refugees, women will be given priority

After the Taliban occupation of Afghanistan, there is an atmosphere of chaos. Except for select countries, other countries including America, India, and Saudi Arabia have either closed their embassies and evacuated their people from there or the work is going on. At the same time, the United Nations Human Rights Council will hold a special session on August 24 to discuss the Afghanistan issue. Meanwhile, Britain has announced asylum to 20,000 Afghan refugees.

Britain's Home Secretary Priti Patel said the country would accept 20,000 Afghan refugees. Priority will be given to women and girls. "Our new Afghan civilian resettlement plan will welcome 20,000 people who have been forced to flee Afghanistan," Patel said in a statement issued by the British High Commission on Wednesday. The UK will primarily provide shelter to women and girls who face a poor future under Taliban rule.

America evacuates 3,200 people

According to the FP news agency, the US military has so far evacuated 3,200 people from the war-torn country. At the same time, India has also brought back about 500 people including its embassy officials, while efforts are still being made to bring back some Indians, likely to be trapped. Government sources said India has not closed its embassy and local staff is providing consular services there.

Taliban invitation to women

The Taliban have invited women to join the government. They have been assured to work and study as well as give them rights under Islamic law. The Taliban has said that it will not allow its land to be used to target any other country. Also, it will not act out of retaliation against soldiers, translators, and contractors working for foreign armies.

silence in Kabul

After the capture of the Taliban, the capital Kabul has been deserted. There is silence in the market, shops and government establishments are closed. People are scared. Taliban fighters carrying AK-47s and other sophisticated weapons are guarding the streets. People are afraid that the two freedoms and rights they had got during the two decades of US-backed government, will all end under Taliban rule.

UN concerned about Afghans working for human rights

The United Nations has expressed concern for the safety of hundreds of people working for human rights in Afghanistan. "We are particularly concerned about the safety of the thousands of Afghans who are working for human rights there," said a spokesman for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Baslet.

Globemaster did not use Pakistani airspace

The Indian Ambassador from Kabul and the staff working in the embassy were brought back by Air Force cargo plane Globemaster. The most direct route from India to Afghanistan is via Pakistan, but being an Air Force aircraft, the Globemaster did not use Pakistani airspace. It was sent from the Gulf region to Kabul via Iran and returned via the same route.

Biden to help Afghan refugees: Bush

Former US President George W Bush has urged the Biden government to provide aid to Afghan refugees. It was during Bush's reign that the World Trade Tower was attacked on 11 September 2001. It was only after this that America attacked Afghanistan and expelled the Taliban.

Plans to evacuate Afghans will be affected

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said his government will not be able to drive as many Afghans out of Kabul as it wanted. Australia is sending 250 military personnel along with three transport and air-to-air refueling jets to evacuate more than 130 civilians and their families from Afghanistan. Indeed, Australia also wants to expel Afghans who have acted as interpreters for its soldiers and diplomats.