GALAWISH

Galawish is Kurdish; she was married at the age of fourteen, the norm for an Iraqian, thirty years later she was widowed.

Galawish and her husband had three sons and two daughters during their marriage. Galawish's husband was a businessman, who owned a hotel and had other business interests. Sadam Hussain became suspicious of his other interests and he was subsequently arrested; on the third occasion he did not return home. It was nearly twelve months later, after continually asking the police, that Galawish was told 'don' come back, your husband is dead'.

Shortly before this news her sons had been arrested, they were questioned as to their awareness of their father's activities. They were released; however, they were continually arrested on a near daily basis.

Friends of Galawish's husband urged her to leave Baghdad, it was not safe for them, and their lives were in danger. Unable to return to their home, Galawish and her sons had to leave with the clothes they wore and the money they could draw, this however was not enough for the whole family. Galawish had to leave behind her fifteen-year old daughter with her married sister.

Galawish and her sons were separated; payment amounting to £3,000.00 each was paid to agents. The journey proved to be an arduous one, forty days of travelling by foot, walking at night through the desert and resting by day, and eventually by lorry.

Galawish arrived in England sixteen months ago; her case has been refused. Her eldest son arrived in England four months ago, with exactly the same circumstances he now has status.

Surely this must pose the question 'Faster, Firmer, Fairer'?

This Page was last updated: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 at 1:48:23 PM
This page was originally posted: 26/2/03; 1:43:14 pm.
Copyright 2004 Thanet Refugee Access