Politics: Afghan Asylum Seekers

Politics

Today I would like to continue on the subject of refugees, specifically those fleeing persecution, poverty, and war in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has been at war for most of the last 30 years. During the cold war it had the dubious distinction of being focused upon by both the Soviet Union and the United States, who both allowed their different political visions to drag the Afghan people into civil war. This civil war was soon followed by a full blown invasion of Afghanistan by Soviet forces. The resistance that followed, largely financed and supplied by the United States, gave rise to the Taliban and also empowered various war-lords in the region.

The Soviet Union pulled out its' troops in 1988. Their occupation had left more than one million Afghans dead, and five million displaced or wounded, and left the country to a prolonged and bloody civil war.



Then came the Taliban.They ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. The policies that this group of Islamic extremists put into place, the mistreatment of women and their support for terrorism, soon isolated Afghanistan from the rest of the world community. They gave harbour and support to Osama Bin Laden and his Al Qaeda group who devoted themselves to a Jihad against the Western powers and their supporters.

Following the events of September 11th, 2001, the country was once again invaded. The United Nations, with troops composed mainly of US military, set out to displace the Taliban and institute a democratic government. The war goes on.

Afghanistan, while famous for being the worlds' poorest nation, also leads the world in infant mortality and has an average life-expectancy of just 42.9 years.

Millions of Afghans have fled their homeland. Many of these went to Pakistan and Iran (about 4 million), and many (about 1 million) dispersed throughout the world. They fled to escape endless war and oppression, and to find some safe haven that would offer them hope for the future. Although, since the fall of the Taliban from power, many refugees have returned to their country, often forced to repatriate by the Iranian and Pakistani governments, many more still flee and have valid reasons for doing so.

The Taliban is still actively engaged in a struggle against the present occupiers and the government that has been empowered in Afghanistan. They have the will to continue their fight and, because of this, many refugees are fearful of returning to the homeland.

Afghan poverty, due to drought and a lack of viable infrastructure, is reason enough for many to seek new lives elsewhere. Add to this dire circumstance seemingly endless war and absolute and fierce oppression, and you begin to see the plight of the Afghan people.

I am sure that most of the Afghan refugees would happily return to their homeland, but not in the present climate...and who can blame them?


Today, in a very famous and historic church in Ireland, there are a group of Afghans begging for secure asylum. They have threatened to commit suicide if this is not granted. The Irish government is refusing to compromise with them and have ordered them to stop this protest and take their chances within the legal system. The church hierarchy is also demanding that they leave this "holy" place so that it might be once again returned to its' proper function. This is a disgrace.

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Whatever happens here, in Ireland, it is well to remember that the world is watching. The government is afraid that capitulation will send the wrong message to other hopeful refugees and inspire copycat endeavourers. The church...well I won't say anything about them...they should know better.

All I will say is this: Good Luck