Asylum seekers tell their stories

The UK's treatment of asylum seekers falls seriously below the standards of a civilised country, says a report. The Independent Asylum Commission heard from hundreds of witnesses, including asylum seekers who said the system had been unfair to them.

Here are a selection of those stories, courtesy of the commission and Human Rights TV, a website hosting much of the testimony.

FLED FROM CONGO

Germain Naruhana gave evidence to the commission in Leeds. He claimed asylum from the DR Congo in 2005. He says his father was beheaded by political opponents after the family spoke out against abuses. He has lost contact with his wife and three children. He says an asylum judge told him his story was not credible.

FIVE-YEAR WAIT

Afshin, who is originally from Iran, spoke to the Independent Asylum Commission about his experiences in the UK, where he has lived for the past 12 years.

He says he waited five years for a decision on his case - a refusal.

"If someone would tell an Iranian that in a Western country they treat you like this, they wouldn't believe you - because they think there is so much humanity there because we have such a brutal government."

STRUGGLE FOR LEGAL HELP

Shoherah Muhummad, originally from Somalia, gave evidence to the commission in Leeds.

She says she struggled to get adequate legal representation to help her to prepare her case before asylum assessors.

"I was running around not knowing where I was going. The only thing that has been going through my head was why did I come to the UK - I made a very big mistake."

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Independent Asylum Commission
Home Office
Human Rights TV
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