An Afghan woman who worked on women's rights projects with Western governments has had her asylum claim rejected by the Home Office.
Officials told her she faces "no risk" from the Taliban if returned to Afghanistan.
The woman, given the pseudonym Mina, was involved in training and mentoring women across Afghanistan, putting her in grave danger even before the Taliban takeover in 2021.
"I assumed my asylum claim would be granted - I am from Afghanistan, I'm a woman, I worked with western governments," said Mina.
She described receiving security training about responding to bombings or kidnappings while working on Western projects.
"Every day I was a few minutes or a few seconds away from bomb blasts," she recalled.
"Some of my colleagues just disappeared. The Taliban changed the Ministry of Women's Affairs to the Ministry of Vice and Virtue - proper, systematic elimination of women."
The Home Office has dramatically reduced its approval rate for Afghan asylum cases, from 98.5 per cent in late 2023 to just 36 per cent by the end of 2024.
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In the final quarter of 2024, 26 Afghan women had their claims rejected.
Overall, 2,000 Afghan asylum seekers were refused in that period, compared to just 48 in the same quarter of 2023.
This shift comes despite a 2025 Human Rights Watch report documenting serious deterioration in women's rights in Afghanistan.
"The refusal was an absolute shock. Now every day I fear being sent back to my home country," Mina said.
"When I arrived here I felt safe. I thought I would have a chance to live. In Afghanistan I had not been considered a human."
"I learnt to ride a bicycle here, something I was not allowed to do in my country. I was really full of hope that my life would change. But someone pressed pause on my life. I hope someone will press play again."
Despite Mina explaining the dangers she faced, a Home Office decision maker concluded: "It is considered that you do not face a real risk of persecution or harm on your return to Afghanistan."
The refusal letter claimed: "You likely have a great support network due to your occupation."
However, many of Mina's former colleagues are either in hiding or have fled the country, with these support networks largely destroyed.
The letter also stated: "There are no compassionate factors in your case that warrant a grant of leave to remain."
Her solicitor Jamie Bell of Duncan Lewis said: "It is shocking that 26 Afghan women were refused asylum in the last quarter.
"This refusal letter is offensive to all those who defended western values in Afghanistan and who ought to be offered protection."
"The UK should be proud to offer protection to an individual like her," he added.
A Home Office spokesperson responded: "It is our longstanding policy not to comment on individual cases."
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Officials told her she faces "no risk" from the Taliban if returned to Afghanistan.
The woman, given the pseudonym Mina, was involved in training and mentoring women across Afghanistan, putting her in grave danger even before the Taliban takeover in 2021.
"I assumed my asylum claim would be granted - I am from Afghanistan, I'm a woman, I worked with western governments," said Mina.
She described receiving security training about responding to bombings or kidnappings while working on Western projects.
"Every day I was a few minutes or a few seconds away from bomb blasts," she recalled.
"Some of my colleagues just disappeared. The Taliban changed the Ministry of Women's Affairs to the Ministry of Vice and Virtue - proper, systematic elimination of women."
The Home Office has dramatically reduced its approval rate for Afghan asylum cases, from 98.5 per cent in late 2023 to just 36 per cent by the end of 2024.
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In the final quarter of 2024, 26 Afghan women had their claims rejected.
Overall, 2,000 Afghan asylum seekers were refused in that period, compared to just 48 in the same quarter of 2023.
This shift comes despite a 2025 Human Rights Watch report documenting serious deterioration in women's rights in Afghanistan.
"The refusal was an absolute shock. Now every day I fear being sent back to my home country," Mina said.
"When I arrived here I felt safe. I thought I would have a chance to live. In Afghanistan I had not been considered a human."
"I learnt to ride a bicycle here, something I was not allowed to do in my country. I was really full of hope that my life would change. But someone pressed pause on my life. I hope someone will press play again."
Despite Mina explaining the dangers she faced, a Home Office decision maker concluded: "It is considered that you do not face a real risk of persecution or harm on your return to Afghanistan."
The refusal letter claimed: "You likely have a great support network due to your occupation."
However, many of Mina's former colleagues are either in hiding or have fled the country, with these support networks largely destroyed.
The letter also stated: "There are no compassionate factors in your case that warrant a grant of leave to remain."
Her solicitor Jamie Bell of Duncan Lewis said: "It is shocking that 26 Afghan women were refused asylum in the last quarter.
"This refusal letter is offensive to all those who defended western values in Afghanistan and who ought to be offered protection."
"The UK should be proud to offer protection to an individual like her," he added.
A Home Office spokesperson responded: "It is our longstanding policy not to comment on individual cases."
Find Out More...