An Afghan interpreter injured in a Taliban attack while working with the British Army believes his 13-year wait for compensation is unfair and a result of racism.
Jamal Barack was 18 when he was shot in the arm and chest during an ambush on the Army’s Scots Guards in Helmand Province.
Three weeks after lifesaving surgery he returned to work – despite his pain.
Now 30, he lives in Glasgow with his wife, who is due to give birth in weeks, and cannot work due to his ongoing suffering. As a result, they are living in poverty on universal credit.
In 2019, the Ministry of Defence vowed Afghans hurt working with us would get compensation – but despite repeated applications, he has yet to receive a penny. Col Simon Diggins, an ex-British defence attache in Kabul, said: “The treatment between Afghan interpreters wounded in service and British soldiers is based on race.
“It is shared risk, shared service and they should be treated equitably.”
Jamal agreed with him, saying: “What the colonel said is correct. We are being discriminated against – the policy is racist. If a British soldier was wounded he would get compensation very quickly. This is not the case with the Afghan interpreters.”
Jamal has tried to be a taxi driver, a carer and a supermarket worker but he cannot lift heavy things or sit in one position for long due to his injuries. Doctors’ letters we have seen confirm he is in almost constant pain and on strong painkillers. He also has PTSD.
Jamal said: “I really enjoyed the work and I was proud to help the British Army in what they were trying to do in Afghanistan. Even after I was shot, I helped them. I nearly lost my life and to be treated like this is heartbreaking.”
Jamal asked about compensation after he was shot but was told he’d have to quit interpreting, which he did not want to do. He applied again in 2015 but said he just had “excuses and delays”.
He added: “My documents have been lost. I reapplied so many times. Many of us have not been paid any compensation, we are emailing, no one is responding.”
Ex-Military Intelligence officer Col Philip Ingram said: “It is disgusting how the Government treats people who have given up everything to help British soldiers in Afghanistan and been wounded. This delay is shocking.”
Former Army head General Sir Richard Dannatt urged the Government to pay Jamal quickly. He said: “I hope if Jamal resubmits his application it will be looked upon favourably.”
The MoD said 111 of 135 interpreters injured in Afghanistan were on patrol – with 26 killed. It added: “Foll-owing the presenting of sufficient evidence, the Government is committed to awarding appropriate ex-gratia medical payments to those who worked alongside our soldiers.”
The MoD said there had been at least 27 bids for compensation by injured interpreters since the 2019 scheme launched with offers made to a dozen. Some £3.3million has been paid since 2013.
The MoD was asked for comment about the racism claims.
