Afghan Refugees in London Fear for Those Left Behind
BBC London, has brought to light the harrowing stories of Afghan refugees who have resettled in the UK, providing a window into the fears and struggles of those who fled their homeland when the Taliban seized control three years ago. Sosan, one of the many who found refuge in London, recounts the terrifying experiences that forced her to leave Afghanistan. Her account is a stark reminder of the ongoing dangers faced by those who remain under Taliban rule, particularly women.
Sosan and her husband arrived in the UK in 2021 as part of the government’s resettlement scheme, joining thousands of other Afghan nationals who have since made London their home. However, despite the relative safety of her new surroundings, Sosan’s thoughts are consumed by the fate of those she left behind. “I was in Afghanistan, and I saw the Taliban shoot women and girls, just because they didn’t wear the hijab,” she shares, highlighting the brutal reality that continues to plague the lives of women in her homeland. “Women are all in danger, I think, in Afghanistan, doesn’t matter who she is,” she adds, her voice filled with the weight of her fears.
The pain of separation from loved ones is a common theme among those who have fled Afghanistan. Sosan speaks of her family and friends who were unable to escape and now live under the constant threat of violence and repression. One incident that haunts her is the punishment of a close friend by the Taliban for venturing outside without a hijab. “It was so hard for me to hear about her. The Taliban tortured her, and maybe they want to kill her,” Sosan tells Jessica Ure, her anguish evident as she recounts the trauma that continues to affect her even in the safety of London.
Rafiq, another Afghan who has made London his home for over a decade, echoes these concerns. Despite being away from Afghanistan for years, the news of ongoing violence and repression in his homeland weighs heavily on him. “We say every day they kill our young people in Afghanistan,” he tells Jessica Ure, his voice filled with sorrow. Rafiq’s distress is further exacerbated by the videos and images that reach him, depicting the grim reality of life under Taliban rule. As he shares one such video with Jessica, his emotions overwhelm him, and Sosan steps in to translate his feelings: “When he sees this kind of video he wants to cry, and when he sees the videos he shakes.”
The Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA) in Feltham has been a vital resource for Afghan refugees in London, offering support and assistance as they navigate their new lives. Darius Nasimi, director of the ACAA, has witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by these individuals, particularly those who have been separated from their families for extended periods. “Here in Feltham, we’re surrounded by lots of bridging hotels around Heathrow Airport, and people have been separated for three years,” he explains to Jessica Ure. The pressure on local authorities to provide adequate support is immense, and the demand for assistance continues to grow.
The anxiety and fear felt by the Afghan community in the UK are further intensified by the recent unrest across the country. Darius recounts a troubling incident during the recent riots where a hotel housing asylum seekers, including Afghans, was attacked, leaving the residents feeling unsafe and vulnerable. His father, Dr Nooralhaq Nasimi, the founder of the ACAA, highlights the growing sense of dread within the Afghan community. “The anxiety of the people gets worse day by day,” he says, noting the stark contrast between the widespread support for other global causes and the relative silence surrounding the plight of Afghans.
As of March 2024, government statistics indicate that 17,039 people have arrived in the UK from Afghanistan via the Afghan Resettlement Programme, with 2,562 of them settling in London. While the UK has provided refuge to many like Sosan and Rafiq, the trauma of what they experienced in Afghanistan, coupled with the ongoing suffering of those still in the country, remains a heavy burden they carry daily.
For more detailed information on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, visit the UNHCR Afghanistan page.
