A is an asylum seeker who currently resides at a Derbyshire hotel housing asylum seekers. This interview was facilitated by Julie James of Derbyshire Refugee Solidarity.
Becoming an asylum seeker starts with fear
- Could you talk about why you became a refugee? What made you leave?
I have been a refugee almost all my life under constant fear of getting killed or even worse sending back to the country who brutally killed my father just because he speaks against what he felt was the wrong thing. And ever since my father got killed my family was never the same again, especially for my mom. I saw her ageing not because of the law of nature, it’s because of the constant abuse and life struggles.
I don’t remember my childhood because I had to work just so I can ease the burden that my mother carries. I can say more and more, but from my experience the more you talk the more people know about you, and they will use that against you to attack you. So this what I have to say regarding this question.
- What were you doing before you left?
Working and hiding.
- Why did you choose to come to the UK?
I believe it’s because this is the only country that I feel safe regardless no matter what the current situation looks like and the English language is for me easy to learn.
- What do you hope to do if you get leave to remain?
I will improve my English skills and do the translation job, as well as I want to work as an EMT.
Current protests are political
- How do you feel about the current protests and mood about asylum seekers in the UK?
There was the time that I got scared because of the raping that happened and I feel sorry for the community as well because they don’t deserve this and I still believe women and children must be protected under any circumstances. But the more I hear about what they are saying now I have the sense it’s all politics. Many of them they don’t even have a valid argument on why they are protesting. It’s just pure hate and racism, and I would say targets a specific religion, even though I am a Christian.
My stand is children must be protected under any circumstances, but don’t blame everyone for one individual mistakes.
- What would you say to the people who are protesting?
Even though they don’t want to hear anything from us since they consider us a threat, we all are human being like you and we are here because we can’t go back to our country for so many reasons, so try to understand us, we aren’t a threat to society we want to contribute to the society, and also be the part of this beautiful country who gave us hope when no one does.
Thankful for the shelter and support
- One familiar criticism is that most asylum seekers are ‘fighting-age men’, which is designed to stoke more fear. Would it not be fair to say you are actually a ‘working-age’ man?
They can say whatever they want, and the reason why I come to this country in the first place was because I can’t even say what I have in my mind without fear, so they can say whatever they want about me or people like me but, they don’t know our story.
‘Fighting-age men’: why would I fight anyone? The British people feed me, gave me clothes and gave me a shelter and even when I don’t feel well they gave me free medication so why would I harm these people who gave me everything? Why would I want to strike fear on anyone? Why?
I have been spending time with people who actually really want to hear my story and the more time I spend with these people, the more I understand how complicated is the British politics. So I would say that whatever that is going on it’s politics and the sum of political propaganda and pure hate.
Life in the UK as an asylum seeker
- What kind of accommodation are you staying in? Can you describe it? How do you do for meals, and food?
I am currently in hotel and I get food three times a day, and I can’t complain about anything because there was a time that I hadn’t eaten for days and even washed my body for weeks so everything is beyond my expectations, but being in here really challenges your mental health, specially when you see the people around you have different kinds of behaviour that’s really challenging.
- How do you spend your time? Do you have access to education, leisure, exercise, books?
I personally stay much of my time inside my room, and twice a week I volunteer in local charity organisation, but many of them they spend their time inside the hotel compound by doing activities and chat with their friends and play some indoor and outdoor games.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
