To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to process the claims of Afghan asylum seekers and refugees who have been waiting for more than six months for a decision on their applications.
Answered on
21 September 2021
The UK has a proud history of providing protection to those who need it, in accordance with our international obligations. All asylum claims are considered on a case by case basis and in line with published policy.
We are currently reviewing the country situation and will be issuing updated country policy and information notes shortly for Afghanistan, which reflect revised assessments of risk of persecution. We have therefore temporarily paused asylum decision making for Afghan nationals to ensure that our decision makers are only considering claimants’ protection needs in the light of relevant and up-to-date country information.
However, we are continuing to interview those seeking asylum from Afghanistan to ensure we have the most up to date information and evidence relating to their claims.