The UK Home Office has reversed its earlier decision to deny asylum to a prominent Afghan women’s rights activist, granting her refugee status after intense legal pressure and public scrutiny. The woman, known as Mina* for her protection, fled Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Her work with Western-backed initiatives aimed at empowering Afghan women placed her at serious risk under the current regime, making her return both dangerous and untenable.
Initially, Mina’s asylum claim was rejected by the Home Office because she did not face a “real and immediate risk of persecution” if returned to Afghanistan. The decision sparked outrage among human rights advocates and legal experts, who pointed to the widespread repression of women in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Mina’s legal team swiftly challenged the ruling, arguing that the government had grossly underestimated the threats faced by women activists under Taliban rule.
Following an appeal, the Home Office reviewed the evidence again and agreed that Mina did indeed face a well-founded fear of persecution. The new decision grants her full refugee status in the UK. Mina expressed overwhelming relief and gratitude upon receiving the news, calling it a moment of liberation after years of fear and uncertainty. Her solicitor, Jamie Bell, welcomed the decision but warned that it highlights deeper systemic issues within the UK’s approach to Afghan asylum claims.
The case comes amid a steep decline in the approval rate for Afghan asylum applications in the UK. In late 2023, nearly all Afghan claimants were granted asylum, but by the end of 2024, that rate had fallen to just 36%. This sharp drop has left many Afghans, particularly women and those with past ties to Western institutions, in legal limbo. Critics argue that the UK government is retreating from its moral obligation to protect vulnerable individuals, especially those who supported British and allied efforts during the war in Afghanistan.
In a separate but related case, the Home Office also recently approved a visa for another Afghan woman activist known for campaigning against gender-based violence. These rare approvals have reignited calls from advocacy groups for a more consistent and compassionate asylum policy.
Mina’s victory is a powerful reminder of the importance of due process and international protection, especially for those who stand up for human rights in the world’s most dangerous places.
