Powys to show solidarity with Afghanistan a year since Taliban returned

On Saturday, August 20, kites are being flown all over the UK in memory of Afghanistan and to show its people that they are not forgotten. Kite flying is an ancient tradition in Afghanistan, with children preparing for days for competitive kite flying festivals – but this is now banned by the Taliban regime after it seized power of the nation in August 2021.

Fly With Me will celebrate the ancient Afghan craft of kite-flying across 15 locations in the UK and Europe in an act of solidarity with the people of the country. In Powys there will be kite flying on Castle Hill, Knucklas, at midday on Saturday. This will be preceded by two free kite-making workshops, from 2-4pm on Friday, August 19, and from 10am-12pm on Saturday, all at Knucklas Community Centre.

There will also be kites flown in Presteigne from 10am on Saturday at Went’s Meadow. The events are being organised by the Knighton and District Refugee Support Group.

Many people in Afghanistan now live their lives in fear once again, following the Taliban’s return to power 12 months ago, after nearly two decades of relative peace following the US-led invasion which forced them from power in 2001.

American troops left Afghanistan last July, leading to renewed clashes, and, by early August 2021, the Taliban had made a rapid advance across the country – retaking many cities, including the capital, Kabul.

Lt Cdr Alex Pelham Burns, a member of the UK Armed Forces, offering water to a child at Kabul airport last August. Photo credit: LPhot Ben Shread/MoD/PA Wire

Many Afghanis are living in fear, especially anyone who assisted the UK during the occupation. Despite assurances of protection by the UK at the time, there are hundreds of people stranded in Afghanistan who were unable to get onto the evacuation flights. These Afghanis, who mostly worked as interpreters and translators and assisted British forces, now fear for their lives and the safety of their families.

Camilla Saunders, one of the kite flying organisers and a member of the Knighton and District Refugee Support Group, said: “We are flying kites to show our support for the people of

Afghanistan, now living under a cruel regime for which the UK’s bungled policies and war-mongering are largely responsible.

“During the last 20 years, over 240,000 Afghanis were killed, of whom at least 70,000 were civilians.

“What was the war for? It has certainly not brought human rights or a democracy to Afghanistan. The West’s interference has only made things much worse.

“The least we can do after our interference is give safe passage and asylum to the refugees. They are our responsibility.”

The three schemes set up by the UK to help Afghani refugees obtain asylum are reported to be totally inadequate.

The Afghan citizens’ resettlement scheme, meant to protect vulnerable people and minority groups, only started four months after the Taliban takeover, so it is impossible to apply to it from Afghanistan; the Afghan Relocation and Assistance scheme, intended for those who helped the British government during the war, has very narrow selection criteria, and is slow, with only 23 per cent of applications processed since it was launched in April 2021; and the Family Reunion which requires people to visit a visa centre. The Taliban closed the visa centre in Kabul so they have to make dangerous journeys just to get the application forms. Even if they succeed, the UK Government is now making it impossible for families to be re-united in safety.

“One in four people crossing the English Channel in small boats are desperate Afghanis, who have no other means to reach sanctuary, and many are now being criminalised,” added Camilla.

“Many Afghanis already in the UK have now been stuck in inadequate accommodation for many months awaiting a Home Office decision, separated from loved ones and fearing reprisals on their families back in Afghanistan.

“The war in Afghanistan was illegal and did not have UN approval. The UK supported the US as part of the now discredited ‘War on Terror’ and Afghani people as well as Western soldiers paid for it with their lives.

“Then after two decades, all Western troops pulled out, leaving the Afghani people at the mercy of the Taliban, who have no respect for human rights and enforce a cruel and violent regime.

“Women can no longer go out to work or school, children cannot play freely, non-religious music and art is banned. Everyone lives in fear, especially those who supported the West in the belief that they would be able to create a democracy.”

For more information about the Powys events, contact Camilla on 07399 412030. For more information about the national initiative and kite-making instructions, visit https://www.goodchance.org.uk/flywithme.