In a distressing decision, an Afghan woman, referred to as Mina for anonymity, has had her UK asylum claim denied, despite her significant contributions to human rights in Afghanistan before the Taliban’s resurgence. She relocated to Britain after the Western withdrawal in 2021, only to be informed by the Home Office that her return to Afghanistan would be safe.
Mina expressed her bewilderment at the rejection, stating, “I assumed my asylum claim would be granted — I am from Afghanistan, I’m a woman, I worked with Western governments.” She now lives in fear of being forced back to a country where her life is at grave risk, revealing the mental torment of her situation and yearning for a normal existence in the UK.
Statistics reveal a worrying trend, as the Home Office rejected 26 Afghan women’s asylum claims in the final quarter of 2024, contradicting their previous acceptance of such cases. Mina’s solicitor, Jamie Bell, underscored the unsettling nature of Mina’s rejection, asserting that those who risked their lives for women’s rights should receive protection, instead of facing denial.
Overall, 2,000 Afghan asylum-seekers had their claims refused in the last quarter of 2024, a stark rise from merely 48 the previous year. Mina recounted harrowing experiences from her past, where proximity to violence and the threat of Taliban persecution were constants in her daily life. She reflected on the transformation of Afghanistan’s Ministry for Women, which epitomised the dire plight facing women and girls under Taliban rule.
Despite sharing her concerns with the Home Office, the official handling her case dismissed the potential dangers, claiming that Mina did not face a “real risk of persecution.” They noted her presumed strong support network and found no compelling reasons to grant her asylum. Upset, Mina recalled, “I thought I would have a chance to live… I was really full of hope that my life would change. But someone pressed pause on my life. I hope someone will press play again.”
A Home Office spokesperson declined to comment on individual cases, reiterating their standard policy.
Mina, an Afghan human rights advocate, has had her asylum claim in the UK rejected despite facing grave risks in her home country. Formerly supportive of women’s rights projects in Afghanistan, she now fears for her safety. As rejection rates spike for Afghan women’s asylum claims, her solicitor condemns the Home Office’s decision, highlighting the hardships women face under the Taliban. This troubling trend calls for urgent reassessment of asylum policies.
This case illustrates the ongoing challenges faced by Afghan women who once believed their contributions to human rights would offer them sanctuary. Despite their sacrifices, the rising number of asylum rejections raises alarming questions about the UK’s commitment to protecting those in peril. Mina’s harrowing journey denotes a disturbing shift in the asylum landscape, demanding urgent attention and reform to ensure the safety of individuals who risk everything for fundamental rights.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
