Department of Politics Research Seminar

Sara de Jong (University of York)

Veteran, refugee or worker? Afghan military interpreters’ claims to rights and protection.

Wednesday 23 January (Week 3) 12.00-14.00

YH/001b, Campus West - ReCSS

Former locally employed civilians (LEC) working as part of military and humanitarian operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, have found themselves increasingly under threat based on their association with the West. This paper offers an analysis of the claims to rights and protection by LEC and their advocates. Based on interviews and media analysis Sara de Jong suggests that rights claims by LEC and their advocates are reactive, seeking exemption from a range of different racialised and gendered shadow figures, representing the ‘Average Refugee’.
However, LEC rarely fit the discourses of the ‘good refugee’, a vulnerable figure deserving compassion, despite clear evidence of the violence that they experience. Despite this LEC and their advocates find alternative ways to claim rights and protection by insisting on their entitlement based on their employment history, moving away from racialised refugee discourses and charity. This puts the onus back on the state, highlights Western states' political responsibility and emphasises that LEC have a relationship with Western nations reminiscent of the post-colonial slogan, ‘We are here, because you were there’. 

Sara de Jong is Lecturer in Politics at the University of York

In association with the University of York Migration Network (MigNet)

All are welcome

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