Ambassador of Afghanistan to Canada Hassan Soroosh stands outside the Embassy of The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Ottawa, on Thursday, July 7, 2022.Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
Afghanistan’s ambassador is urging action to ensure that Afghans who have been approved to come to Canada do not have to risk detention by the Taliban when they apply for a passport.
Ambassador Hassan Soroosh says in an interview that Afghans are facing house to house searches, extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances under the Taliban.
He says those who helped Canada are in a state of high vulnerability and face detention and prosecution if they apply for a passport to leave, even if they have been approved by immigration services to come here.
The ambassador called for a more flexible approach to paperwork and documents for approved Afghan refugees and immigrants, including those who have made it to other countries but whose visas have expired.
He also urged Canada not to forget about Afghanistan, which he says is facing a dire and tragic humanitarian crisis, including acute malnutrition for children.
He said the Taliban are becoming more hard-line toward women and minorities, and have been using violence against women’s peaceful protests.
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