Summary Bibihal Uzbeki who can barely communicate was carried on the back of her son and grandson while she made a long journey from Afghanistan to Sweden. Photo: AP
(Web Desk) – A 106-year-old Afghan refugee woman is facing deportation after her application was rejected by Swedish Migration Agency.
Bibihal Uzbeki made a perilous journey to Europe from Afghanistan carried by her son and grandson through mountains, deserts and forests through Iran and Turkey in 2015.
Bibihal Uzbeki photographed in Croatia. She and her family made it in news when the family was heading towards Europe in 2015. Photo: AP
According to AP, Bibihal Uzbeki’s family has appealed the rejection. The family’s journey made headlines in 2015 when they were part of a mass migration of people who came to Europe from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries.
After two years, Uzbeki lives with her family consisting of 11 members in a small village of Hova, in central Sweden.
The rejection letter was received by the family during the month of Ramazan. Uzbeki was not made aware of the rejection letter but she soon discovered after the constant grief from her granddaughters.
The Swedish Migration Agency confirmed in a statement that they had “taken a decision regarding an expulsion in the case,” adding “generally speaking, high age does not in itself provide grounds for asylum.”
Rejected applicants whose applications have been refused are allowed upto three appeals, but the process of such cases takes long time. Uzbeki’s other family members applications are in various stages of appeal.
The family feels the Swedish authorities are ignoring the plight of Afghans. Many countries now deny asylum to Afghans from certain parts of the country which are considered safe.
“The reasoning from the migration agency is that it’s not unsafe enough in Afghanistan,” said Sanna Vestin, the head of the Swedish Network of Refugee Support Groups. But she said many of the big cities cited as safe are not at the moment.
Uzbeki family before their journey to Europe was living illegally in Iran for eight years. The family fled Afghanistan because of the ongoing war and insecurity.
Bibihal’s son Mohammed Uzbeki said it is difficult to prove during their appeal that the family faces a specific enemy if they return back to Afghanistan.
Bibihal Uzbeki is watched by her son Mohammadollah and daughter-in-law Ziba. Photo: AP
“If I knew who was the enemy, I would have just avoided them,” he said, citing the Islamic State group, the Taliban and suicide bombers as possible dangers.
“She still cannot speak properly, she has hallucinations,” he laments. “She says they are coming to kill us, we should run away.”
