Exclusive: MOD introduced behaviour rules for Afghans living on Defence Estate

The Ministry of Defence imposed a code of conduct for Afghans arriving in the UK, thousands of whom were being housed on military bases, BFBS Forces News understands.

The Conduct Charter, which sources say was introduced in summer 2024, outlines the standards of behaviour expected in Britain, with the aim of supporting integration into UK communities.

Revelation of the charter comes as unverified claims have circulated online alleging antisocial behaviour by some Afghan residents on defence sites. BFBS Forces News is choosing not to publish details of those allegations as we are unable to independently substantiate them.

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When the charter was introduced, thousands of people had already been brought to the UK under resettlement schemes established in the wake of the fall of Kabul.

While the Ministry of Defence has not commented on individual claims, it says anyone found to have breached expected standards may lose access to military-provided accommodation.

Managed by troops

To date, around 38,000 Afghans have arrived in the UK under various relocation and resettlement schemes. That includes a previously undisclosed programme, the existence of which only became public last week following the lifting of a superinjunction.

The arrivals process and initial integration period has been managed by troops under Operation Lazurite – a military-led effort established after the Taliban captured Kabul in 2021.

Personnel typically serve on the mission for six months, in line with the length of a standard operational deployment.

Tasks include collecting arrivals from UK airports and transporting them to designated bases, where the integration process begins.

New arrivals are usually first placed in transit, defence-based accommodation – a phase that can last up to nine months and includes support with medical, financial and other matters.

They are then moved into more stable housing, including surplus Service Family Accommodation, where they may remain for up to three years.

Phased withdrawal

At its peak, Op Lazurite saw 12% of all Service Family Accommodation properties occupied by Afghans. That figure is currently understood to be no more than 2%.

The decision was made to stop using military accommodation in recent weeks, although earlier reports had already suggested the phased withdrawal of Defence Estate housing.

On 1 July, Defence Secretary John Healey announced that relocation schemes such as the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) would close to new applicants – marking the beginning of the end for future Afghan resettlement in the UK – under specified government schemes.

A source said the Conduct Charter "demonstrates what good citizenship looks like in the UK and how individuals show respect for the local area and others in the community".

They added: "It captures the standards and norms that will be expected by new neighbours on military sites and covers UK laws that, if breached, would constitute a criminal offence."

An MOD spokesperson said: "All Afghans relocated to the UK through the Afghan Resettlement Programme have been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK and are not illegal immigrants, asylum seekers or refugees.

"Individuals undergo thorough security checks before arriving in the UK.

"Those relocating to the UK are made aware of their rights and responsibilities, and the standards of behaviour that [are] expected.

"If these are breached it may result in removal from transitional accommodation and the subsequent removal of support into settled accommodation."