S's Story · Refugee Week 2024

WRITTEN BY TOMMY SHARPE

Iran ranks 18th worst in the world for freedom of expression. It has one of the highest execution rates in the world and a judiciary that targets journalists and human rights activists. As well as this political oppression, the country is one of the worst places globally to be a Christian or part of the LGBT community.

S came into the ESOL class hesitantly, waiting for the teacher to introduce him to me. Once we got chatting, he opened up about his journey to the UK and how sad he felt about the family he had left behind.

S loves history. He told me how he wanted to study it if he was allowed to stay, and ultimately how he wanted to have a job in the field. His eyes lit up as he told me about his visit to the British Museum.

S had spent a long time in Germany rebuilding his life before being told to leave after over half a dozen years in the country. He said England was the obvious choice because he loved London - he told me about how he had seen it in TV shows growing up - and because other than Persian and German, English was the only language he knew.

S told me he hoped he would be allowed to build a life here where he could be happy, but he understood the government had to make difficult choices. I said that if I was in charge I would let him stay.