A Kurdish asylum seeker from Iraq has been granted the right to remain in the UK due to his tattoos. The migrant, who was granted anonymity, claims he is unable to return to his homeland as his family would violently threaten him because his body art “deviated from the principles of Islam”.
The asylum seeker said he originally had to flee his country as his father and uncle attempted to burn his tattoos off, later finding out they planned to kill him. The Kurdish man also failed to bring any form of identity documents with him to the UK, which he claims as another reason to stay. He said not having an identity card upon return to Iraq could risk inhumane treatment, which breaches the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
The Home Office had rejected his claim to asylum at first, arguing he could move to another part of the country. However, an immigration tribunal ruled he can remain in the UK, and granted him refugee status.
Previously, asylum seekers from Iraq have been successful in their argument of being unable to return to their home country without identity documents, as they risk interrogation or even arrest.
The Kurd, named as AA, left Iraq after his family discovered he had body art, which is viewed as “abnormal behaviour”, deviating from the principles of Islam as it tampers with God’s creation.
The asylum seeker later found out through his mother that his father and uncle were plotting to kill him as he brought shame on the family.
The tribunal heard that his brother had helped him onto a flight, however, he was only able to bring his passport and not his Iraqi ID card, as his father kept those separately.
When he landed in the UK, AA claimed asylum, yet this was rejected in 2023. In April 2024, he appealed this decision based on his family’s close ties with the ruling political party of Iraq, which could find him anywhere in the country.
The argument went to an upper tribunal where his appeal was granted by Judge Makesh Joshi.