Afghans affected by the MoD data leak are placed at direct risk of harm, according to new research. New survey data reveals that of 350 Afghans, 89% of 231 affected by the leak reported impacts on their own physical and/or mental health. The research, involving Victoria Canning, Professor of Criminology at Lancaster University, along with Refugee Legal Support and Professor Sara de Jong from the University of York, has been published by the House of Commons Defence Select Committee.
In terms of direct impacts, of the 231 Affected Afghans, 200 (87%) reported personal risks and/or threats to family members. Affected Afghans reported a range of threats and risks, ranging from extreme violence, including killings, to threats, such as house searches. In terms of indirect impacts, 89% (207 out of 231) Affected Afghans informed by the MoD that their data was compromised, reported impacts on their own physical and/or mental health and the same number (207) reported negative impacts on their family's physical and/or mental health.
Professor Victoria Canning, who acted as an Academic Consultant on the research, said: "By centralising the experiences of Afghans, our research shows the real human cost of the MoD data breach. As well as threats to life, killings and house raids, the mental health toll on affected Afghans and their families is devastating. Many people remain in serious danger. The UK government needs to respond urgently to ensure safety, including expediting relocations and ensuring redress."
The full report is entitled 'I am not a case number, I am a human being': the lived impacts of the Ministry of Defence data leak' and will be released in November.
