Female Afghan judge hiding from Taliban appeals against denial of entry to UK

Lawyers say their client is in hiding in Pakistan after militants killed her former colleagues and attacked her home

People wave Afghan flags during a protest. Charity workers have accused the British government of doing too little to help at-risk Afghans who have been in hiding since the Taliban's takeover of Kabul. PAShow less

A former female Afghan judge who is in hiding from the Taliban has appealed to Britain's Home Office after it denied her application for permission to enter the UK.

Lawyers from the firm Kingsley Napley announced on Saturday that they had filed the first appeal at the Immigration Tribunal on behalf of their client named only as “Y” and her son.

The firm said the government’s decision had prevented the pair from reuniting with British and settled family members in the UK, including her nephew who works as a civil servant.

They also said she has been left in a “gravely vulnerable position” following the return of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of western troops.

Y and her son fled Afghanistan and are currently hiding in Pakistan after her home was attacked in Kabul and several of her former colleagues were assassinated, the lawyers said.

The team described how Y had a successful career spanning two decades in the Afghan judiciary, held senior positions in the criminal court system and adjudicated cases involving crimes like murder, violence against women, rape, terrorism offences and conspiring against the Afghan government, lawyers added.

She also presided over security cases in which Taliban members, their affiliates and sympathisers were sentenced and who have now been freed from prison, holding official positions in the new government, the lawyers said.

The appeal comes after Kingsley Napley lawyers submitted applications on behalf of the woman and her son in November last year, which included arguments made under Article 8 of the European Court of Human Rights, the right to respect for private and family life.

However, the Home Office notified the woman's lawyers this month that her applications had been rejected.

Kingsley Napley said Y met the eligibility criteria for resettlement in the UK during the initial evacuation but was not called forward under Operation Pitting, probably due to administrative error.

Afghans on board an evacuation flight from Kabul, organised by the UK after the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban. PA

Oliver Oldman, a Kingsley Napley immigration lawyer, said: “If any case should be granted on compassionate grounds, it is this one.

“Our client is in constant fear she will be discovered and deported back to Afghanistan where she and her son’s personal safety is at risk."

She has close family here who want to look after her, at no cost to the British taxpayer, the lawyer said.

“The UK Government has a moral duty to permit our client’s safe passage, given the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and this judge’s lifelong commitment to protecting the rights of women and children as well as the rule of law and upholding democratic values in Afghanistan,” Mr Oldman said.

He accused the government of creating a “false narrative” around safe and legal migration routes.

“Here we have two applicants, fleeing the most acute danger in Afghanistan, who have tried through these supposed legal routes to reach safety in the UK and join their family,” he said.

“A clearer elucidation of the false narrative surrounding safe and legal routes would be hard to find.”

Y’s nephew, who is living with his British wife and children in the UK, said: “We have been terrified for them throughout the last year because they are so vulnerable.

“The whole family has been under tremendous pressure but what has kept us all going is the hope that the Home Office would grant them permission to join us in safety in the UK.

“We were first told by the Home Office that a decision would be made within around three months.

Taliban fighters celebrate a year in power — in pictures

Taliban fighters celebrate the first anniversary of their return to power in Afghanistan, in front of the former US embassy in Kabul. AP

A girl cries on the pavement as men ride by on a motorbike, during celebrations in Kabul marking the first anniversary of Taliban's return to power. Getty

Taliban fighters hold weapons as they ride on a humvee in Kabul as during celebrations marking a year since their return to power in Afghanistan. AFP

On August 15, 2021, the Taliban took control of Kabul after an 11-day blitz through Afghanistan. AP

Afghan boys hold weapons as they join the celebrations. AP

A Taliban fighter mans his weapon during the mass gathering in Kabul. AP

Taliban fighters drive in procession through the streets of the Afghan capital. Reuters

There were also celebrations in Kandahar, the extremists' seat of power. EPA

Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi gives a speech at an event in Kabul marking the first anniversary of the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan. AFP

Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi at the podium at an event in Kabul marking the first anniversary of the Taliban's return to power. AFP

Acting Defence Minister Mohammad Yaqoob speaks at a gathering in Kabul to mark the first anniversary of the Taliban's return to power. AFP

Taliban leaders attended an anniversary ceremony in Kabul. Reuters

Outside the US embassy, fighters chanted victory slogans. AFP

The fighters' show of force. AP

Taliban fighters hold rifles while chanting victory slogans at Ahmad Shah Massoud Square near the US embassy. AFP

Taliban fighters ride in a convoy near the US embassy in Kabul. AFP

A year ago, the country's western-backed government fled and the Afghan military crumbled in the face of the Taliban advance. AP

The chaotic withdrawal of foreign forces continued until August 31, as tens of thousands of Afghans and foreigners clamoured to board flights out of the country. AP

The Taliban authorities have so far not announced any official celebrations to mark the anniversary, but state television said it would air special programmes. AP

For ordinary Afghans, especially women, the return of the Taliban has increased hardships. Aid agencies say that half the country's 38 million people face extreme poverty. AFP

Initially, the Taliban promised a softer version of their harsh interpretation of Islamist rule that characterised their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001. But many restrictions have been imposed on women. AFP

Tens of thousands of girls have been shut out of secondary schools, while women have been barred from returning to many government jobs. AFP

“Hearing almost 10 months later that both applications were refused was completely devastating.”

Her nephew said the long delays have also exacerbated the mental poor health of his aunt and her son in Pakistan.

Earlier this month, the government published updated figures on the number of people who have been brought to safety to the UK from Afghanistan following calls for information before the one-year anniversary of Taliban forces capturing Kabul.

It said more than 21,000 people have been brought to safety, including British nationals and their families, Afghans who worked for the UK, and people identified as high-risk.

But a separate up-to-date total for the number of Afghan refugees who have arrived in the UK was not given.

Amnesty International UK said the “patchwork of figures” provided is a “reminder of the chaos and delay of the UK’s response to the Taliban a year ago”.

A Home Office representative said: “The UK is taking a leading role in the international response to supporting at-risk Afghan citizens and has made one of the largest resettlement commitments of any country.

“This includes welcoming over 21,000 Afghan women, children and other at-risk groups to the UK through a safe and legal route to resettle in the UK.”