Threat due to interpretation for the US military forces case

The applicant is an Afghan Sunni Muslim. In the years 2006 to 2011, he worked as an interpreter for the United States military forces in Afghanistan. Due to his work, he received threats over the phone. Additionally, the Taliban distributed “night letters”, where his name was included as an example of a traitor. One time, the applicants father was called by his cousins who said that the applicant “should not be collaborating with the infidels.”

Due to the threats, the applicant left Afghanistan and arrived in Denmark in May 2011. He applied for asylum at the Danish Immigration Service, and subsequently the Refugee Appeals Board when the initial request was rejected. In 2013, the Board rejected his appeal, on the basis that of the applicants credibility. The Board thought that his accounts were contradictory and evasive.

After requests to reopen his case were denied, a complaint was sent to the CCPR. The applicant fears severe risk of being subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment in violation of article 7 of the Covenant. The Committee thought the applicant did not provide substantial evidence to prove that he would be exposed to personal risk if returned to Afghanistan. Therefore, the Committee found that authors removal to Afghanistan would not violate his rights under article 7 of the Covenant.

24. November 2023

CCPR 2393/2014
  • Decision: 11. September 2015
  • Comm: Human Rights