Ex-Afghan workers demand asylum in European countries

KABUL (Pajhwok): A number of former employees of the European Union (EU) in a protest gathering in capital Kabul on Thursday expressed concern over what they said threat to their lives and demanded asylum in one of the union’s member countries.

Dozens of former EU workers attended the protest gathering in front of the union’s office for a second time today. These people previously protested on June 27.

They were carrying banners that read, ‘Our colleagues targeted by terrorist groups”, “we do not want to be targeted,” “please help us” and asked for asylum in any EU member countries.

FeraidonAmiri, a former EU worker who joined the protest while talking on behalf of others said, “We previously expressed our legal demands in written forms and press conferences to EU officials, but to no avail.”

He said the EU as a defender of human rights and a representative of political and civil freedoms should respond positively to human rights demands of these protestors so their actions were not questioned.

Yama Aryubi, another former worker of EU who previously was responsible for the security of the union, said, “After the withdrawal of foreign forces, our lives are under threat more than any time, we kindly ask for the start of asylum process to any of EU member country.”

He stressed on approval of their demands and warned to erect protest tents in front of the EU office if they were ignored.

Laila, another protester who worked as researcher with EU since 2008 said, “Families of EU workers are under high security threat and NATO member countries should take a decisive stance on the regard.”

The protestors also released a resolution letter in which they said, “EU should prioritize the security of its civilian and military workers… this process should not be delayed for more than a month.”

In part of the resolution, they stressed on the acceptance of the protestors’ demands and said they would erect protest tents if ignored.

This comes as Taliban a few days ago in a statement had said that ‘those who are deceived by foreigners and worked for them over the last 20 years, should not leave the country because the Taliban would not harm them.”

Mds/ma