Berlin urged to speed up resettlement of Afghans who worked for military

The German government is under pressure to accelerate the process by which hundreds of Afghans who worked for the military are able to resettle in Germany amid fears for their lives if they stay in their home country.

High-ranking representatives from the military, politics, development aid and the diplomatic corps have joined an appeal to the German government stressing the urgency of acting ahead of the withdrawal of international troops next month.

“While the troops have long been preparing for their return, under increased security measures, the fears of the Afghans hired locally are growing,” states the letter, which was organised by four people including the director of the Berlin-based independent thinktank Afghanistan Analysts Network, Thomas Ruttig, and has the backing of prominent Afghans.