Greece
Asylum applications in Greece rose significantly in 2001 but have been declining in the last three years. Most asylum seekers come from Iraq, but there has been a substantial increase in the number of claimants from Bangladesh, Palestine, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Maria
Maria has been a refugee in Greece ever since she fled Iran under the rule of Khomeini, when a colleague of her husband was imprisoned and killed for his political beliefs. Now, after twenty years in the country, Maria still has to renew her refugee status annually and struggles to belong in Greece.
Habib
Habib left his home in Afghanistan at 16, when Taliban activists punished his village by closing down the only school and carrying out routine attacks on the inhabitants. Habib fled after being badly injured in one of the attacks and is now living in Greece.
