Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that people who are at risk of death or persecution due to their religion or belief are prioritised in the Afghan citizens' resettlement scheme.

Whilst the ACRS is not yet open, the policy statement published on gov.uk on 13 September sets out that the scheme will prioritise:

a) those who have assisted the UK efforts in Afghanistan and stood up for values such as democracy, women’s rights and freedom of speech, rule of law (for example, judges, women’s rights activists, journalists); and

b) vulnerable people, including women and girls at risk, and members of minority groups at risk (including ethnic and religious minorities and LGBT+).

We will work with UNHCR and other expert partners directly in the region to identify eligible people and bring them to the UK.

The policy statement sets out further information on the eligibility, prioritisation and referral of people for the ACRS, and is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/afghanistan-resettlement-and-immigration-policy-statement/afghanistan-resettlement-and-immigration-policy-statement-accessible-version#afghan-relocations-and-assistance-policy