Description
An Afghan woman who has spoken out against the Taliban fears for her life after the Interior Ministry denied her a new visa and suggested she return to Afghanistan. Maryam Amiri, who lives in Glasgow, is asking the government to reconsider, saying her husband, also an Afghan, worked for British forces and it would not be safe to bring them back. Her MP Alison Thewliss (Glasgow Central) said Home Office advice that Ms Amiri could return to live in Afghanistan was "dangerous" and reflected no change in the country since it issued her first visa in 2016.
The Home Office decision notice, seen by the PA news agency, said Ms Amiri was not eligible for a license to stay under the five-year or 10-year partner route, although she has qualified for two visa periods. shorter since 2016.
It said that Ms Amiri did not meet the minimum income requirement and that the Home Secretary had seen no evidence that there were "insurmountable obstacles" preventing Ms Amiri and her husband from continuing to live together in Afghanistan.
The Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021 with the withdrawal of Western forces.
Since then, human rights groups and international observers have raised concerns about access to education and jobs for women and girls under the regime, and concerns have been raised about the safety of those who supported Western forces. . The Home Office advises against travel for British citizens.
Ms Amiri told the PA news agency: 'I have always spoken out against the Taliban and their brutal rule.
"I disagree with the Home Office's decision to send me back to Afghanistan, where women are not safe, especially for an activist who has always spoken out against the Taliban."
She added: "I feel threatened and afraid of losing my life if I return."
Ms. Amiri said she had dreamed of going to university for years, but now that she is due to start a course in September, she fears she won't have the opportunity. He also said that he wanted to continue his community work in Glasgow and aspired to become a member of the Scottish Parliament.
She said: “I put my life in danger by opposing the Taliban and their activities. My family has already been threatened with persecution because I oppose the Taliban's decisions on women's rights. So it's too risky for me to go back.
Ms Thewliss said she feared for Ms Amiri's safety if she returned, particularly given her stance on women's rights.
“You know how the Taliban are. It would work against you. It would be a danger to her," Thewliss said.
“Her husband had supported the training of the British forces. Her husband has a British passport. It seems to me that those are two very sensible reasons why he cannot return.
“She came here on a spousal visa. And in the normal course of things, these are renewed. The Home Office seems to have ignored the fact that the situation in Afghanistan has changed drastically since 2016 and their response gives the impression that nothing has happened.
"It's strange that they say in the answer that there's no reason why you can't go back to Afghanistan and support yourself like you did before you came to the UK. I mean, of course you can't.
The SNP MP slammed the Home Office for saying it "has seen no evidence that there are insurmountable obstacles" to the return of Ms Amiri or her husband to Afghanistan.
She said: 'If they followed this advice, they would be in grave danger. I know from many cases that I do the risks that people face.
“The idea that you can send people back and everything will be fine is not sensible, it is not practical. It's dangerous and the Home Office really should know better before publishing something like that.
He added: "I think his case just highlights the lack of care, the lack of attention, the lack of professionalism at the Home Office."
Ms Thewliss raised Ms Amiri's case with the Prime Minister in the House of Commons, where she said the Home Office had advised Ms Amiri "to return to Afghanistan".
The MP said: 'She is married to a man who worked for the British forces and her family is currently being persecuted in Afghanistan.
He added: 'Can the Prime Minister think of any obstacles or difficulties that Maryam might face when returning to a country where there is no way to apply for a visa?
Rishi Sunak said that it would not be appropriate for him to comment on an individual case.
A Home Office spokesman said: 'All visa applications are decided on individual merit.
"We don't systematically comment on individual cases."
PA files
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