Before needing to flee, I had never heard of the UK’s asylum system and I certainly didn’t know what the “Home Office” was. I’d never heard of any asylum system in fact. Even when I was searching for ways I could escape, I didn’t know much about what would await me or the process of applying for asylum when I reached a safe country.
I was persecuted in Iran because of my religion. I was being harassed and tracked so I didn’t feel safe. I had to go into hiding for a long time. Eventually, my parents knew my life was in danger and I had to find a way out.
There was only one way: for my family to pay a lot of money to smugglers. I couldn’t go to the airport to get a flight, as I was being watched. And for the same reason I couldn’t present myself to officials to get a visa.
Denne historien er fra November 27, 2021-utgaven av The Independent.
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Denne historien er fra November 27, 2021-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Greatest sequel of all time?
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Payne drew the short straw in One Direction; now we'll never know the real him
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Zelensky tells EU and Nato to back his 'victory plan'
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US stealth bombers strike Houthi bunkers in Yemen
US B-2 stealth bombers have been used against the Iran-backed Houthis for the first time in an escalation of Washington’s response to attacks on shipping in the Red Sea that serves as a message to Tehran.
Does Sinwar's death mean Israel's war in Gaza is over?
For years before he rose to become overall leader of Hamas this summer, Yahya Sinwar had consolidated his power, giving him outsized reach compared to other commanders.
Architect of 7 October raid killed in Gaza, Israel says
Yahya Sinwar, Hamas chief and Israel’s most wanted man, is said to have been killed in a chance encounter with troops
Independent's Sengupta wins Edgar Wallace Award
Late war reporter honoured for excellence in journalism
Second refuge to be built as campaign smashes target
The Independent is thrilled to announce that its target to raise £300,000 to build a safe home for domestic abuse survivors has been smashed – and that all new donations will be put towards a second house.
Tory councillor's wife jailed for stirring up racial hatred
The wife of a Conservative councillor who used social media to stir up racial hatred against asylum seekers on the day of the Southport attacks told a WhatsApp user she would “play the mental health card” if she was arrested.
New test for prostate cancer could save more Black lives
A new at-home spit test for prostate cancer could allow thousands of men to receive earlier diagnoses – including Black men who were previously excluded from such tests.