Concern over UK refugee offer

Some Afghan and other refugee groups have expressed concern over the British government's cash offer to asylum seekers volunteering for repatriation. "It's a right decision, but at a wrong time," Zabih Popalzai, the coordinator for the Society of Afghan Residents in the UK, told IRIN from London. "The reality in Afghanistan is that rape, theft, robbery, kidnapping and assassinations are going on. It makes nobody feel safe." Popalzai's comments followed an announcement by the British Home Office this week that it would give individual Afghan refugees wishing to return the equivalent of US $916 each, while a family would receive $3,818. However, the offer was termed "inadequate" by several Afghans. "A working Afghan can make up to 200 pounds [about US $300] in a week. This offer is too little," Ahmad Mohamand, another Afghan residing in London, told IRIN. "It's not practical." Popalzai said this was not the right time for Afghans to go home because of security considerations and lack of job opportunities. "What will they do if they return? It's a poor country and there are no jobs." The BBC quoted Margaret Lally, an official of the British organisation, the Refugee Council, as saying that Afghanistan was still very unsafe. "Our experience shows that programmes limited to short periods can place undue pressure on refugees to go home before they are ready and when the situation in their home country, as is the case with Afghanistan, is very unstable and insecure," she said. The BBC said the scheme was expected to attract 1,000 applicants, and that the Home Office had already set aside $1.2 million to fund it. The money - in addition to the cost of the air fare - would be paid only after departure from Britain. Australia offers refugees still being processed by the immigration authorities up to $6,000 each if they opt for repatriation. Those refused asylum and who have exhausted all other legal options to stay are automatically deported. Peter Kessler, the spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told IRIN from Geneva that the British scheme was in line with the UNHCR's recommendation to all governments in July to offer repatriation assistance to those Afghans who may wish to return. "If people believe that they have a right to claim asylum, they have the full right to have their cases heard," Kessler said. "But it is up to the individual to decide." He said UNHCR was not directly involved with the plan, but had always stressed that any repatriation scheme should be voluntary in nature.