At Risk Afghans Need Rescue and Protection from Taliban Regime
At Risk Afghans Need Rescue and Protection from Taliban Regime
The Issue
August 17, 2021
Dear Prime Minister Justin Trudeau,
We are conducting this petition on behalf of millions of Afghans to express our shock and grief as Afghanistan is handed over to extremists, the enemies of humanity and the world. As NATO and US troops withdrew from the country, in just a matter of one week, the Afghan government collapsed. The Taliban swept back into power while President Ashraf Ghani abandoned his people and fled the country.
What followed next was absolute mayhem. Thousands flocked to Kabul International Airport in a desperate attempt to escape life under the Taliban regime. Based on traumatic experiences inflicted on Afghan civilians by the Taliban, which are expected to repeat in the future, people desperately struggle to leave the country. At least eight people were killed at Kabul airport on Monday, including two civilians who were shot dead by US troops, three who were run over by taxiing jets, and three stowaways who fell from the engines of a US Air Force plane as it fled an airfield of thousands of abandoned desperate Afghan nationals.
Afghans are proud people who have endured a lot. But this time, all of us are pleading for help and for an escape because we know what the Taliban is capable of. We understand what life will be like under the ruling of a terrorist organization who is vehemently against women’s rights, minority groups, and general progressive values because we have experienced it once before (1996-2001). Therefore, we plead: please do not let history repeat itself and do not leave the people of Afghanistan alone in these difficult moments. Please do not ignore the Afghan people’s cries for help.
The Canadian government has demonstrated itself as a world leader in humanitarian crises. It has built trust and shown competence; thus, we hold Canada accountable for the promises it has made. We as ordinary citizens lack the military and political representation to assist these vulnerable people. Through fast action we can save lives that would be potentially lost otherwise. We are concerned for everyone in Afghanistan.
As such, we humbly call on your excellency, and the Canadian government to amplify our voices, so we are no longer silenced or unheard. We, the undersigned, request the following from your administration:
1) To increase the number of refugees that will be accepted from 20,000 to 40,000.
2) As part of the eligibility, also include those who are most vulnerable: artists, widows of Taliban opposers and their children.
3) To focus Canada’s aid on rescuing people who are trapped inside Afghanistan with no access to commercial flights, rather than solely assisting those who have already landed safely in other countries.
4) Ease the criteria for accepting private sponsored refugees for Afghan sponsors.
We also want to take this opportunity to thank the Canadian government for the continuous support. The people of Afghanistan are grateful for all the assistance you have provided. Let’s not forget that millions of people who are suffering today are watching your decisions and are not only looking forward to your support but need it to survive.
Sincerely,
Afghan Canadians and Afghans in Canada
17,018
The Issue
August 17, 2021
Dear Prime Minister Justin Trudeau,
We are conducting this petition on behalf of millions of Afghans to express our shock and grief as Afghanistan is handed over to extremists, the enemies of humanity and the world. As NATO and US troops withdrew from the country, in just a matter of one week, the Afghan government collapsed. The Taliban swept back into power while President Ashraf Ghani abandoned his people and fled the country.
What followed next was absolute mayhem. Thousands flocked to Kabul International Airport in a desperate attempt to escape life under the Taliban regime. Based on traumatic experiences inflicted on Afghan civilians by the Taliban, which are expected to repeat in the future, people desperately struggle to leave the country. At least eight people were killed at Kabul airport on Monday, including two civilians who were shot dead by US troops, three who were run over by taxiing jets, and three stowaways who fell from the engines of a US Air Force plane as it fled an airfield of thousands of abandoned desperate Afghan nationals.
Afghans are proud people who have endured a lot. But this time, all of us are pleading for help and for an escape because we know what the Taliban is capable of. We understand what life will be like under the ruling of a terrorist organization who is vehemently against women’s rights, minority groups, and general progressive values because we have experienced it once before (1996-2001). Therefore, we plead: please do not let history repeat itself and do not leave the people of Afghanistan alone in these difficult moments. Please do not ignore the Afghan people’s cries for help.
The Canadian government has demonstrated itself as a world leader in humanitarian crises. It has built trust and shown competence; thus, we hold Canada accountable for the promises it has made. We as ordinary citizens lack the military and political representation to assist these vulnerable people. Through fast action we can save lives that would be potentially lost otherwise. We are concerned for everyone in Afghanistan.
As such, we humbly call on your excellency, and the Canadian government to amplify our voices, so we are no longer silenced or unheard. We, the undersigned, request the following from your administration:
1) To increase the number of refugees that will be accepted from 20,000 to 40,000.
2) As part of the eligibility, also include those who are most vulnerable: artists, widows of Taliban opposers and their children.
3) To focus Canada’s aid on rescuing people who are trapped inside Afghanistan with no access to commercial flights, rather than solely assisting those who have already landed safely in other countries.
4) Ease the criteria for accepting private sponsored refugees for Afghan sponsors.
We also want to take this opportunity to thank the Canadian government for the continuous support. The people of Afghanistan are grateful for all the assistance you have provided. Let’s not forget that millions of people who are suffering today are watching your decisions and are not only looking forward to your support but need it to survive.
Sincerely,
Afghan Canadians and Afghans in Canada
17,018
The Decision Makers
Petition created on August 17, 2021