Two former interpreters working for UK forces in Afghanistan have lost a case in the High Court against the government for alleged discrimination.
Redundancy package announced in 2012 by the government was challenged by them. The two men, Mohammed Rafi Hottak and another person by the name AL argued to be allowed to settle in Britain just like the Iraqi interpreters. But the High Court judge rejected the appeal of the two men and termed it non discriminatory.
The redundancy package which was announced in December 2012 was applicable only to the interpreters who were still on the rolls of the British armed forces and were at work for more than a year.
The lawyers representing the two men who filed the appeal contended that the treatment meted out to them was discriminatory. According to them, others were treated better as they risked their lives in the Iraq war while helping the British forces.
Rosa Curling, lawyer of the two men conceded that AL didn’t want to disclose his identity due to the threats from Taliban. And, Mr Hottak though had claimed asylum in Britain was unable to utilise the assistance scheme.
Common law claim “has no substance”, according to the judges who presided over the case.
