A judge at the High Court is set to rule on whether eight Afghan journalists who worked for British media companies in Afghanistan can relocate to the UK, following a fight with government ministers.
The journalists have taken legal action against Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Home Secretary Suella Braverman after failing in bids to relocate to the UK.
Lawyers representing the journalists said they had worked in “high-profile roles for the BBC and other media agencies” and were at risk of “being killed by the Taliban”.
They said the journalists had applied for relocation to the UK under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy, but officials had decided they were not eligible for relocation under that programme.
The journalists, who are being represented by British law firm Leigh Day, said they have been told they do not “meet the eligibility criteria” but have not been given “any or adequate reasons” as to why.
They added that their applications under a discretionary policy have also been refused, calling the decision “unreasonable and unfair”.
Taliban celebrate anniversary of withdrawal of US-led troops from Afghanistan — in pictures
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Taliban fighters and supporters celebrate at Ahmad Shah Massoud square in Kabul on August 31, 2022. AFP -
A banner hung in Kabul by Taliban authorities to mark the first anniversary of the departure of US-led foreign forces from Afghanistan. AFP -
Taliban fighters set off fireworks near the former US embassy in Kabul to celebrate the anniversary. AFP -
The Taliban government declared August 31 a national holiday in Afghanistan, as part of the celebrations marking the first anniversary of the end of two decades of foreign presence. EPA -
Taliban fighters take to the streets to celebrate. AFP -
Taliban fighters in front of the US embassy in Kabul. AP Photo -
Children with Taliban flags celebrate the anniversary. AP Photo -
A Taliban convoy in Kabul on Wednesday. Reuters -
The Taliban celebrate the first anniversary of the US withdrawal outside the former US embassy in Kabul. EPA -
Taliban fighters celebrate the anniversary of the US withdrawal. EPA -
Celebrations in Kandahar. EPA -
A celebratory parade in Kandahar. EPA -
Taliban fighters and supporters during a parade in Kandahar. AFP -
Taliban fighters and supporters in Kabul. AP Photo -
A Taliban fighter during the anniversary parade in Kandahar. AFP
Lawyers representing the government said the claim should be dismissed and argue that the claimants were “independent journalists”.
They said the “reasoning in the decision letters” was “adequate and rational”.
The government ministers had a “very broad discretion” when “setting and applying” the criteria for acceptance under the relocation policy, their lawyers said, and added that journalists are not “expressly included for eligibility”.
Due to security issues, the judge said the journalists could not be identified in media reports of the case.
