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.
This story is from the November 27, 2021 edition of The Independent.
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This story is from the November 27, 2021 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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