Asylum appeal success: refusal overturned and refugee status granted
We are pleased to share a successful asylum appeal outcome achieved by Otabek and Dovudbek from Sterling Law’s immigration team. After an initial refusal of protection in 2024, our client faced serious risks upon return to their country of origin due to their ethnic identity and political profile. Sterling Law was instructed to represent the client in their appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.
Background
- Initial decision: The asylum application was refused by the Home Office in May 2024.
- Risk profile: An ethnic minority individual with documented risks tied to political dissent and religious identity.
- Instruction: The client appealed the refusal and appointed Sterling Law to conduct the case.
Key issues
- Establishing a well-founded fear of persecution based on political opinion and ethnicity.
- Demonstrating that “sur place” activities taken while in the UK created a genuine risk of adverse attention from authorities.
- Overcoming credibility challenges regarding the timing of the asylum claim.
Our approach
We prepared a comprehensive appeal focused on robust evidential support and legal arguments:
- Expert Reports: Instructed multiple country experts to provide independent reports addressing the specific risks faced by the client’s ethnic and political group.
- Witness Evidence: Gathered and presented oral and written testimony from several witnesses to corroborate the client’s political activities and visibility.
- Legal Submissions: Filed detailed submissions aligning the client’s personal history with international human rights reports to prove that the state targets even low-level dissent.
Outcome
- Appeal Allowed: In January 2026, the Tribunal found the client to be a credible witness regarding the core of their claim.
- Grant of Protection: The Tribunal determined that the client’s removal would breach international obligations, allowing the appeal on both asylum and human rights grounds.
Why this matters
This result underlines the importance of a strategic legal approach in complex protection cases:
- Credibility: Strong corroborating evidence can overcome statutory “adverse credibility” issues related to delays in filing a claim.
- Sur Place Protection: Activities conducted in the UK are a valid basis for asylum if they place an individual at risk in their home country.
- Detailed Evidence: Expert reports and witness testimonies are crucial in demonstrating that a threat is individual and well-founded.
Conclusion and next steps
If you or someone you represent is facing an asylum refusal or requires advice on protection claims, contact Sterling Law’s immigration specialists. Our team can assess your position, advise on expert evidence, and prepare a strong legal strategy tailored to your circumstances.
