MPs to hear evidence on the plight of creative artists in Afghanistan
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee will hear evidence on the plight of creative artists living in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, on Wednesday 27 November.
Meeting details
The withdrawal of UK troops from Afghanistan in 2021 received widespread criticism, particularly around the Government’s failure to prepare a clear evacuation plan. MPs are likely to explore how the withdrawal affected the lives of artists and impacted cultural heritage.
As of June this year, around 29,000 Afghan people have been resettled in the UK, with half arriving around the time of the evacuation. MPs could ask what support was available for creatives at the time of the withdrawal, what options are available for those who remain, and what more could be done to facilitate resettlements.
The Committee will hear from filmmakers Mohsen, Maysam and Hana Makhmalbaf and TV producer Jimmy Melville, who are campaigning to resettle creative artists at risk under the Taliban. The Makhmalbaf's campaign was documented in Hana Makhmalbaf’s film The List.