Activists call on the United States and other countries to open their doors to accept Afghan refugees

Human rights activists are urging the United States and other countries around the world to open their doors to the thousands of desperate refugees trying to flee Afghanistan. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, who survived an assassination attempt by the Pakistani Taliban, spoke on Monday.

Malala Yousafzai– I think that every country has a role and a responsibility at this time. Countries must open their borders to receive Afghan refugees and displaced persons. Biden has a lot to do. President Biden must act boldly to ensure that the Afghan people are protected.”

Progressive lawmakers from the United States have also joined calls to welcome the refugees. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib wrote on Twitter: “If we don’t start putting people first, out of their homeland, this will continue to happen. Let’s start by opening our country up to accommodate refugees fleeing the consequences of our actions.” Meanwhile, the US government is reported to be planning to detain about 30,000 Afghan refugees at two military bases: Fort Bliss, in Texas, and Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. There are currently hundreds of unaccompanied minor immigrants detained at Fort Bliss Military Base, which has been linked to numerous allegations of abuse and unsafe conditions.