Asia

Afghanistan remains by far the largest country of origin of refugees, accounting for 23% of the current global refugee population. However, more than 4 million Afghanis have voluntarily returned home in the last five years. A growing number of refugees are fleeing political persecution in China, heading mainly to India, the US, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands.

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.

Majidi

Majidi is a refugee in Hungary, originally from Afghanistan. He fled war in his native country, poverty in Pakistan, and intimidation by soldiers in Turkey. He speaks eight languages, including Hungarian, and now feels settled in Hungary.

Hedja

At 19, Hedja was the oldest of three children accompanying their father to visit relatives in Germany. While abroad the situation in Iran prevented their father’s return and the family were obliged to seek politcal asylum in Spain – the first EU country they had entered. Five years on, Hedja's father and youngest brother have been granted refugee status, but she and another brother have not.

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.

Alice

Alice is a musician from Kyrgystan, who was arrested and tortured for her political beliefs. Since arriving in the UK to claim asylum in 2003, she has struggled to rebuild her life and regain her health. She has spent time living on the streets, has given up her profession, and is still trying to find work.