Asylum Speakers Podcast with Jaz O'Hara: Stories of Migration

In the fourth episode of FATMATA, the focus turns to bringing Fatmata home. As Abu and the Second Tree team work to locate her body and navigate a system marked by bureaucracy, corruption and uncertainty, they face extraordinary challenges to honour her final journey. Through the voices of those who stood alongside Abu in this process, we follow Fatmata's repatriation from North Macedonia to Sierra Leone, and join her family as they finally lay her to rest. This is the story of reuniting Fatmata with her family - while recognising that countless others never get the chance to say goodbye.To support the show: https://www.patreon.com/asylumspeakersInstagram: www.instagram.com/asylum_speakersWebsite: www.asylumspeakers.comTo find out more about Second Tree: https://secondtree.org/

In the third episode of FATMATA, everything changes.As Fatmata and Abu leave Greece in search of safety, they begin the journey north through the Balkans. But as they cross into North Macedonia, they find themselves caught in an ambush by border police that will change their lives forever.Through the testimony of Abu and those closest to him, we piece together the events of that night and the days that followed - from the immediate aftermath of Fatmata's death, to Abu's decision to remain in North Macedonia and fight for justice against the odds.This is the story of the night Fatmata died.To support the show: https://www.patreon.com/asylumspeakersInstagram: www.instagram.com/asylum_speakersWebsite: www.asylumspeakers.comTo find out more about Second Tree: https://secondtree.org/

In the second episode of FATMATA, we travel to Greece, where Fatmata and Abu first arrive in Europe.Through conversations with the volunteers who came to know them during their time there, we begin to understand life inside Greek refugee camps, the friendships they formed, and the moments of joy they found during these ten months of waiting.But after several rejections of their asylum claims, it because clear that they would not be able to stay in Greece. In this episode, we follow the decisions that would lead them to leave Greece, and continue their journey north.To support the show: https://www.patreon.com/asylumspeakersInstagram: www.instagram.com/asylum_speakerswww.asylumspeakers.comTo find out more about Second Tree: https://secondtree.org/

In the first episode of FATMATA, we travel to Freetown, Sierra Leone, to meet the couple at the heart of this story.Through conversations with her husband, Abu Bakar, her sisters, her mother, and those who knew her best, we begin to get to know the remarkable Fatmata Kamara - or Fatima, as she was known to her family and friends.Fatmata left a lasting impression on everyone she met, so what led a young woman with so much love around her to leave everything she knew behind? In this episode, we begin to understand the decisions that would take her thousands of miles from home, on a journey from which she would never return. To support the show: https://www.patreon.com/asylumspeakersInstagram: www.instagram.com/asylum_speakerswww.asylumspeakers.com

On 19 April 2023, a young woman was shot and killed by a policeman at the border between Greece and North Macedonia. Her name was Fatmata Kamara, known to her friends and family as Fatima. She was 23 years old. She died that night in the arms of her husband, Abu Bakar.Her death barely made the news.Her story raises many important questions… Who was Fatmata, and what really happened that night? Why did her death pass with so little attention? What does it say about whose lives are most valued, who is protected by the law—and who is not? And in the end… what does justice look like for those she left behind?This is FATMATA: A new season of the Asylum Speakers Podcast.Launching on World Refugee Day.Listen wherever you get your podcasts.To support the show: https://www.patreon.com/asylumspeakers#Fatmata #AsylumSpeakers #WorldRefugeeDay #Podcast #Refugees #Migration #HumanRights #borders

The final part of the story!!!Welcome back to the Asylum Speakers Podcast! I can’t believe it’s been so long since the last episode, and so much has happened since then… and that’s what this episode is here to fill you in on today!!!If you haven’t yet listened to the last episode that we put out, (about my foster brother Mez trying everything to get his younger biological brother Josi safely to the UK), I would highly recommend you go back and listen to that episode, because it sets the context for today’s episode.To give you a brief overview…Mez left his country of Eritrea as an unaccompanied child, fleeing compulsory military service, nearly 10 years ago, crossing the Sahara, the Mediterranean sea and hiding underneath the Eurotunnel train to make it to the safety of the UK, where he became my foster brother. (He shares that whole journey in Season One of this podcast if you want to go back and listen). A few years after Mez left, his younger brother Josi also fled Eritrea for the same reasons. He too crossed the Sahara, after which he got stuck in Libya, where he tried several times to cross the mediterranean sea unsuccessfully. Here, he had a very difficult time, facing modern day slavery, forced imprisonment and many other life-threatening risks. During this time, Mez was doing everything he could to bring Josi to us and our family in the UK, safely and legally. It was a long and painful process that at times seemed impossible.In today’s episode, you will be hearing the climax of this journey, the most incredible reunion of Mez and his brother Josi, and what life has been like since they found their way back to each other after ten years aart and many, many challenges. You'll hear from Mez, my mum, Mez and Josi's immigration lawyer and most importantly... Josi himself!Let us know what you think of this episode by sending us a message on InstagramTo support the show and help us to keep bringing you these stories: https://www.patreon.com/asylumspeakers