UK politicians slam decision to withdraw scholarships for Afghan students
British politicians have decried as "morally wrong" a decision by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to withdraw university scholarship places to Afghan students in light of the crisis enveloping the country. About 35 people, just under half of whom are women, will no longer have visas approved for the Chevening Scholarships program this year, with the FCO insisting that the places will be deferred for a year with a view to "reinstating the program as soon as possible."
David Liddington, a key ally of former prime minister Theresa May, and Rory Stewart, the former international development secretary, condemned the decision and urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to intervene on behalf of the students. Liddington called the move "morally wrong," while Stewart said it was "deeply disappointing."
Liddington also said that the students in question would be "at particular risk from the Taliban" given their desire to seek an education in the UK.The militant group has retaken much of the country in the past few weeks, with only the capital Kabul remaining in government hands. Both the US and UK have sent troops and aerial support to Afghanistan in a bid to evacuate civilians and embassy staff before Kabul falls to the militants.
In a letter sent to the prospective Afghan Chevening scholars, the FCO said: "Current circumstances mean that the British Embassy in Kabul is unable to administer the parts of the program that must be done in Kabul in time for candidates to begin their courses this year." Despite suggesting a resumption date in the autumn of 2022, it is unclear if, or when, the scholars will be able to take up their places should the country come under full Taliban control.
