London: A coalition of press freedom organizations has warned that the UK is failing in its mission to protect at-risk Afghan citizens, particularly journalists who are vulnerable to Taliban retaliation.

The warning comes as the government holds off on disclosing information about the upcoming stage of its flagship program to relocate chosen Afghan citizens to Britain, the Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme.

However, delays have put the UK behind its European allies, such as Germany and France, who have already provided refuge to a number of journalists, rights groups warned.

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They also said they had received a "deluge" of requests from Afghans for assistance in helping the journalists relocate.

Index on Censorship, the National Union of Journalists, PEN International, and English PEN are among the organizations that have written letters of appeal to UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

Martin Bright, editor-at-large of Index on Censorship, claimed that despite appearing to be eligible for the ACRS, Afghan journalists in their home country as well as in neighboring Pakistan and Iran have not received any assurances from the UK.

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"Without clarification on ACRS's progress, there is little to no support that can be given, and this exposes the journalists to threats of disappearance, violence, arrest, imprisonment, and assassination," he continued.

Many Afghan journalists—mostly women—have fled to nearby nations in search of safety, but they still face danger from Taliban sympathizers and the prospect of deportation.

News of several Afghan journalists' personal electronics, including phones, laptops, and cameras, being seized by authorities last month broke in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad.

According to an Afghan journalist who is currently residing in Pakistan, "This time has been hell for me. In Pakistani society, there is a lot of prejudice, racism, and hostility toward Afghan women in particular.

Before the Taliban took control in 2021, many of the journalists had previously worked for Western media organizations.

Eight BBC employees who had previously been denied UK visas had their applications reopened as a result of legal action against the UK Home Office.

Following the Taliban takeover, former UK prime minister Boris Johnson established the ACRS.

It was formally opened early last year to Afghans who had already entered the UK, providing a legal pathway to receive the right to remain in Britain. Its goal is to resettle members of Afghan civil society in the UK.

However, rights organizations have cautioned that the plan has experienced delays in opening to those still trapped in Afghanistan and neighboring countries.

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More than 24,000 Afghans, including "campaigners for women's rights, human rights defenders, scholars, journalists, judges, and members of the LGBT+ community," were relocated to the UK, according to a government spokesman.

"Our work continues to help other eligible Afghans," they added.