August 16, 2023

On Two Year Anniversary of US Withdrawal, EOA Reiterates Calls for Safe Passage, Welcome, and Protection for At-risk Afghans

WASHINGTON D.C.- This week marks two years since the Taliban takeover of Kabul and the start of the U.S. noncombatant evacuation operation. The Evacuate Our Allies Coalition reaffirms our commitment to stand with our Afghan allies – both those who were relocated to the United States and those who continue to urgently need avenues to protection. 

“Today and every day, we stand shoulder to shoulder with our Afghan neighbors, friends, and allies as we mourn the ongoing humanitarian crisis and profound restriction of rights in Afghanistan that have unfolded since the Taliban took power again in 2021,” said Seelai Karzai, Afghanistan Advocacy Campaign Manager at Human Rights First. “For many of us, August 15, 2021 marked a new phase in civil society efforts – where individual volunteers and organizations worked together to help at-risk Afghans find safety and navigate the chaotic evacuation. The organizations and individuals that make up this Coalition continue in that spirit today – fighting for a dignified welcome and legal protections for those in the United States, and expedient and meaningful pathways to protection for Afghans abroad.”

As we continue to hold space for reflection during this somber anniversary throughout the month of August, Evacuate Our Allies remains committed to our advocacy and acknowledges that much remains to be done. The individuals and organizations that comprise our coalition remain committed to holding the US government accountable and ensuring we fulfill our promises of safe passage, welcome, and protection through legislation like the Afghan Adjustment Act. 

###

Evacuate Our Allies is a coalition that advances government action and accountability to fulfill promises of safe passage, welcome, and protection for at-risk Afghans following the decades-long U.S. military presence in Afghanistan.