World Immigration News

Home Office backs down on asylum refusal for female Afghan activist

Release Date: 2025-06-12
Media: The Guardian
Summary: An Afghan woman known as Mina, who risked her life promoting women's rights in Afghanistan, has been granted asylum in the UK after the Home Office reversed an earlier rejection of her claim. Despite her prominent work with Western-backed initiatives, her asylum was initially denied on the grounds that she was not at risk from the Taliban.

Before her appeal was heard, the Home Office changed its decision, recognizing her fear of persecution as valid. Mina expressed joy, calling it a long-awaited freedom.

Her lawyer, Jamie Bell, criticized the original rejection and urged the Home Office to grant asylum to all Afghan women due to the severe repression under Taliban rule. Asylum grant rates for Afghans have fallen sharply from 98.5% in late 2023 to 36% in late 2024, with a dramatic rise in court appeals.

Bell noted that despite the drop in approvals, deportations are unlikely since the UK does not recognize the Taliban or have a repatriation agreement, leaving many Afghans in legal limbo.

In a separate case, another Afghan woman who campaigned against gender-based violence was also granted a UK visa after years of hiding from the Taliban.
Tags: United Kingdom

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