LONDON: Maryam Amiri, an Afghan woman residing in Glasgow, fears for her life after the UK Home Office rejected her new visa application.
Amiri’s family has reportedly received threats due to her views on the Taliban’s decision on women’s rights, and her husband works for British forces, making their return to Afghanistan dangerous.
The Home Office rejected her visa application, stating that she is not eligible for leave to remain under the five or ten-year partner route and does not meet the minimum income requirement. However, Amiri has been granted two shorter visa periods since 2016.
Amiri has been vocal against the Taliban’s brutal regime and believes that returning to a country where women are not secure, particularly those who have always been vocal against the Taliban could put her life in danger.
Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central, criticized the Home Office’s decision, stating that returning Amiri to Afghanistan is dangerous and does not account for the country’s changes since 2016.
UK PM Sunak declines to comment
The UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declined to comment on the individual case. A Home Office spokesperson told Sky News that visa applications are decided based on individual merits and do not routinely comment on individual cases.
Amiri’s case has raised concerns about the lack of care, attention, and professionalism in the Home Office. Thewliss emphasized that the decision to return Amiri to Afghanistan could endanger her life and that the Home Office should reconsider its decision.
Amiri has urged the UK government to reconsider its decision and allow her to stay in the UK, where she feels safe.
