When the US and its allies withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, it was clear that many Afghans who had supported Western efforts — often making them a target for the Taliban – had been left behind. This series explores the failure by European countries to take responsibility for the safety of Afghans who worked for or in close partnership with them, and the subsequent harm these individuals have faced under the Taliban regime.
While the US and others roll back protections for Afghans, new evidence shows the scale of ongoing reprisal killings, belying the Taliban’s claim of an amnesty for former soldiers.
The UK has turned away hundreds of Afghan commandos paid and trained by the British military. Some had complained about or say they witnessed war crimes by the same UK forces who were given veto power over their applications, with insiders warning of a conflict of interest.
Left Behind: Afghans who worked for Dutch-funded NGOs were told they’d be evacuated to safety, but a shift in policy left them to face the wrath of the Taliban – with consequences that have proven deadly
Left Behind: The German government is rejecting its Afghan staff’s pleas for evacuation, despite its own development agency warning they face Taliban retaliation
