Thread by @ZoeJardiniere

Today, MPs return early from their Summer break to discuss the crisis in Afghanistan.

Patel will claim her pledge to resettle just 5,000 people this year to the UK represents a world-leading response to the situation.

Here is @JCWI_UK's briefing #r4today jcwi.org.uk/briefing-the-a…

@JCWI_UK Andy Burnham outlines chaotic mismanagement in the existing UK asylum system, people being transferred between accommodation with no notice.

Rightly calls for a fully-funded national dispersal scheme, that leaves Local Authorities providing sanctuary struggling. #r4today

Burnham also questioned the low numbers of resettlement places pledged, highlighting the fact that we have been militarily implicated in Afghanistan for 20 years.

Says 35,000 would be more appropriate resettlement target. If he means this year, I'd say that's a start. #r4today

Meanwhile, in order to respond to the situation in Afghanistan the govt MUST change it's direction on refugee protection in this country.

It is inevitable that Afghans will escape the Taliban outside of official resettlement schemes & be in no less need of our help. #r4today

JCWI is calling for:

👉 All 3,000 outstanding asylum applications by Afghan nationals in the UK to be granted immediately
👉 Expedited process to grant protection to any Afghan submitting a new or fresh claim
👉 No Afghan to be subjected to 'inadmissibility' rules
#r4today

👉 Any Afghan national currently held in detention to be released immediately
👉 Lift barriers to family reunification procedures for Afghans, including expanding criteria to include siblings and parents of applicants
👉 Widen criteria of official relocation scheme
#r4today

Don't know about you, but I have little faith in our 'leaders' to bring about a swift resolution for peace & security in Afghanistan.

Refugees will seek our help in the coming months & years. We MUST throw out this government's plans to criminalise their journeys. #r4today

***Obviously in my second tweet I meant to say 'that supports Local Authorities providing sanctuary, rather than leaves them struggling. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Someone please bring me a coffee 😅😅

We @JCWI_UK, @AfghanCouncilGB & 80+ refugee organisations wrote to the Home Secretary demanding this urgent action

We must protect Afghans already in the UK, offer escape routes to their loved ones & abandon plans to criminalise those coming in the future jcwi.org.uk/dont-criminali…

@JCWI_UK @AfghanCouncilGB It is easy to feel completely helpless in the face of the horrifying scenes we have watched as the country fell this week.

But there are practical steps our government can take RIGHT NOW to reassure, support and protect our Afghan brothers & sisters. #r4today

@JCWI_UK @AfghanCouncilGB I do hope they'll ask Patel on #r4today what will happen to Afghans who do not fall into that lucky 5,000.

And also ask what her colleague Mercer may possibly have meant when he claimed yesterday members of her government deliberately introduced obstacles to relocation efforts?

@JCWI_UK @AfghanCouncilGB LOL are we seriously saying that Afghans at risk from the Taliban who are hearing that the UK will resettle 5,000 people will decide it's OK and they don't need to flee through irregular means?

Do they think Afghans can't count? #r4today

Patel again making no sense, not on top of the implications of her own policies, trying to steer the conversation back away from people who will inevitably make irregular journeys, pretending they will have any alternative. #r4today