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Wounded interpreter denied UK asylum
02 October 2012An afghan interpreter who was seriously injured in a Taliban bomb attack which killed a British soldier has been refused asylum because the Home Office do not believe he worked with the military.
Mohammad Rafi Hottak, 26, claimed asylum in July 2011 saying the Taliban had made death threats against him for his work with the British and American military as an interpreter.
Hottak was injured in the 14 November bomb attack which killed army Captain John McDermid in 2007.
Hottak spent five years as an interpreter for the British army and two years with the US military, and his fingerprints are stored on a US military database. He also still has military identity cards, although the multiple different spellings of his name used on the cards were cited as grounds for suspicion.
Hottak arrived in the UK in July 2011, but the Home Office began to doubt his identity as he spoke fluent English during his asylum interview, rather than Afghan languages Dari or Pashto.
A British army officer and another Afghan interpreter have vouched for his identity as part of a campaign run by The Times, but the Home Office rejection letter said that Hottak's indentity and work with the military was "not accepted".
The Ministry of Defence does not keep central records of interpreters, instead storing records locally in Afghanistan, meaning the MoD could not verify his employment.
A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "Mr Hottak's asylum application was carefully considered and comprehensive checks were carried out before a decision was made.
"There were significant inconsistencies in his claim that were not clarified to our satisfaction by the information he provided.
"The decision carries a full right of appeal and if new information came to light, we would of course consider it."
HAVE YOUR SAY
02 October 2012
The fact the Ministry of Defence are claiming it does not keep central records of interpreters, instead storing records locally in Afghanistan, meaning the MoD could not verify his employment.
Raises major security question's for the security, safety and welbeing of British service personnel in Afghanistan.
If the MoD does not know who is working for them?, as they are claiming to help UKBA denied British ILR to Mohammad Rafi Hottak.
Then raises major concerns over Green on Blue attacks, which are raising by the week on Nato personnel it seems.
Also is questions Defence and Home Office Ministers, should answer before both the Defence and Home Affairs Select Committee's.
We have Gurkha Veteran's son's being arrested, imprisoned and deported, for the only crime of growing up and being over 18 years of age, which took place between the 20th and 25th of September 2012.
We have also the MoD and UKBA, wanting to change the rules, over Commonwealth and Gurkha service personnel entitled to British ILR and citizenship, just to deny these outright.
What Kind of ungreateful Country and Parliament is becoming, those who place their own lives at risk are not welcome.
When did the last British MP or Coalition Minister willing place their own life on the line, for British Crown, Parliament and People, not lately?.
As for the UKBA basically saying a British army officer and another Afghan interpreter word or vouching for his identity.
There word is not goodeough, basically the UKBA are publicly calling a British Army Officer a lier, an offence under Queen's Regulation's the Officer or any serviceman could be Court Martialled for.
But the Home Office rejection of this British Officer words, by saying that Hottak's indentity and work with the military was "not accepted".
Reminds be of UKBA/MoD Barristers, saying in the High Court in the Gurkha Immigration case, which won the Gurkha's back dated immigration rights.
I joke you not,"WINNING A VICTORIA CROSS MEANS NOTHING TOWARDS BRITISH CITIZENSHIP!", with the High Court Judge actually questioning this remark, "Are you really saying winning a VC does not count?", with the answer "YES YOUR HONOUR".
True made by a barrister who'se idea of bravery is fighting to the bar to order a bottle Champagne in their local wine bar.
That's the point, people who never placed their own lives in harm's way, or had to trust some else to watch your back, are making wrongfully decisions on very brave men and women.
To deny them their true welfare rights and legal entitlements or immigration rights to the UK.
They use to say Country or Home fit for Heroes, and Honour the Military Covenant to All in the British Armed Forces, veteran's and military families.
The Coalition Government, are destorying this by each mistake and bad or wrongfully decision they are making over defence these days.
ExRA David MC.Hughes - Blackpool, UK, Gurkha Welfare Rights Specialist
03 October 2012
Well said Mr Hughes, but what do you really expect of these people? Remember that the chancellor called the aircraft carriers 'thingies'. I think that and the current subject matter just about sums them up.
Where's Joanna?
Dave - Wellington NZ.
03 October 2012
Perhaps this chap should start preaching hate filled sermons against the UK; then he could stay for years.
Our rulers are idiots
Ian Skinner - Enfield
19 October 2012
Afghan interpreters must be granted asylum in the UK otherwise, they will be exterminated after UK troops depart Afghanistan by the end of 2014. both the Government and the Afghan people think that the interpreters are the (Intel) I am an ex-interpreter of the UK army and have been threatened several times by the Taliban and other Islamic fundamentalists as a result of my co-operation to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan so, interpreters are eligible for asylum with no doubt. you must take them under your wing. people who used to work with the Russian army during its occupation of Afghanistan are still regarded as traitors. cheers hope you take it into serious consideration .
Ahmad Ghafoor - Allmara Afghanistan. no org