Tajik Migrant Granted Asylum in the UK Due to Beard-Related Persecution

A Tajik national has been granted the right to asylum in the United Kingdom due to the risk of being forcibly shaved. The court overturned a previous rejection, acknowledging the possibility that the man could face torture or forced beard removal if deported to his home country.

The man, who was due to be deported by the UK Home Office, claimed he kept a beard for religious reasons, and being compelled to shave it off would amount to persecution.

According to reports, the Tajik government has in recent years unofficially banned beards. Hundreds of thousands of men have been arrested for having facial hair, forcibly shaved, fingerprinted, and registered in official databases.

Authorities argue that the policy is aimed at preventing religious extremism and radicalisation. However, human rights activists describe it as a violation of religious freedoms, an intrusion into private life, and a form of discrimination.

The higher court found that the original tribunal failed to distinguish clearly whether the man would shave due to social pressure or fear of persecution and ordered the case to be reheard.

Judge Parminder Saini stated that if the man maintains his beard for religious reasons but would feel compelled to shave it for safety upon return, he could qualify for international protection.

“If the beard is an expression of religious belief and the obligation to remove it is linked to safety concerns, that may constitute persecution. But if the shaving would be due to social pressure or personal preference, the claim to asylum might not be valid,” the judge said.

The case has sparked debate among British society and politicians. The government is currently proposing to tighten the criteria for asylum claims based on Articles 3 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protect against torture and uphold the right to family life.

Analysts say such cases highlight the delicate balance between individual rights and national security policies. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!