LISTEN - Calls for British Government to act to secure the safety of the family of a local refugee

By Q Radio News

Social Democratic and Labour Party Leader Colum Eastwood MP has called for urgent action from the British Government to secure the safety of the family of Muhammad Edrees Kharotai following news that his sister Sama has been abducted in Kabul.

The Foyle MP made high level representations on behalf of Mr Kharotai’s family after Muhammad, who lives in Derry-Londonderry and has been supported by Mr Eastwood, sought assistance for his mother and four sisters who were trapped in the Afghan capital following the Taliban takeover. 

Colum Eastwood MP said that the British Government’s failure to take action has caused a crisis for the family and has called on Foreign Secretary Dominic Rabb to urgently intervene. 

Pictured - SDLP leader and Foyle MP Colum Eastwood

Colum Eastwood MP said:

“ I have been made aware that Sama Kharotai, the sister of Muhammad Edrees Kharotai, my constituent, has been abducted in Kabul. Following the fall of the Afghan capital to the Taliban, I made urgent representations on behalf of Muhammad and his family to senior British Government Ministers outlining that without intervention, these vulnerable women would be targeted by the new regime. We knew this would happen because their father was murdered by the Taliban for working as a government official.

“This family is in crisis. They have been living in a tent on the streets of Kabul for over a week now, desperate to stay safe and the British Government has totally abandoned them. Now they are frightened, they don’t know where their sister is and they need immediate support.

“I am calling on Foreign Secretary Dominic Rabb to make this case an urgent priority. He needs to exhaust every diplomatic option right now to secure the safety of the Kharotai family before they lose their lives. 

“I will continue to do everything I can for Muhammad and his family.”

Pictured - Scenes in Afghanistan