The Czech government has approved a program of help for Afghans who worked with Czech troops during their deployment in NATO missions.
Defence Minister Lubomir Metnar said the help meant for Afghan interpreters and their families includes their relocation, an offer of asylum and financial aid.
Metnar said the goal of the program is to ensure safe and decent living conditions for them after NATO troops pull out of Afghanistan.
The government's move came days after the Czech veterans, current service members, human rights organisations and others urged the government to help resettle the Afghans because of the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.
NATO troops are ending a deployment launched against al-Qaeda and Taliban forces in the wake of the September 11 attacks.
President Milos Zeman asked the government on Thursday to approve the program without any delay because of fears that Afghans who worked with the Czech military could be killed by the Taliban.
The Defence Ministry declined to provide further details about the program, which is classified in order to protect its recipients. Their number wasn't given.
The last Czech service members pulled out from Afghanistan in June.
Since 2002, a total of 11,500 Czech soldiers were deployed in Afghanistan. Fourteen Czechs were killed.
Australian Associated Press
