Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will expedite the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme for people from (a) the Hararas Muslim community and (b) other minoritised communities.

The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme commenced on 6th January, providing up to 20,000 women, children and others at risk with a safe and legal route to resettle in the UK.

The scheme will prioritise those who have assisted UK efforts in Afghanistan and stood up for UK values such as democracy, women’s rights, freedom of speech and rule of law; and vulnerable people such as women and girls at risk, and members of minority groups (including ethnic / religious minorities and LGBT+).

From Spring 2022, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will refer refugees to the scheme, based on assessments of protection need.

The UK has a proud track record of helping those who need our protection – and this will continue.