Lisa

Lisa is originally from Namibia. She claimed asylum in the UK after fleeing years of sexual abuse, forced marriage, and ongoing threats from her abuser. In her initial asylum claim, the UK Home Office accepted she had been abused and coerced into marriage by her cousin. However, they refused her claim for protection in the UK arguing she could safely relocate to another area within Namibia. 

Asylum Justice represented Lisa in her appeal, focusing on whether internal relocation was a safe and reasonable option given her experiences. She is mother to a young daughter, and has faced struggles with her mental health following her harrowing experiences. Her previous legal representatives had failed to raise key issues in her initial asylum claim, including the presence of her young child, which had led to the flawed initial decision. 

We commissioned a pivotal country expert report detailing the risks Lisa would face if returned, including the difficulties of relocating anonymously in Namibia, the vulnerability of single mothers, and the lack of effective protection. This, alongside evidence from her treating clinicians corroborating PTSD and other mental health concerns, helped us demonstrate that relocation was not a viable option. 

The judge upheld her appeal, highlighting the expert evidence and concluding that Lisa faced a real risk of further harm if returned.

She was granted refugee status and now lives in safety with her daughter. Lisa said: “I was so terrified of being refused… I want to thank Asylum Justice and my solicitor for listening to me, making me feel heard, and supporting me through this process.” 

This case shows the transformative impact of expert, trauma-informed legal representation and thorough case preparation.