Sabir Nosheen is a 26-year-old Pakistani who fled her home country because she risked being murdered "for honor." After refusing the marriage arranged for her by her family, she ran away and secretly married the man she loved.
When they were found, Nosheen’s brother and nephew killed her husband. Soon after, she crossed the border, scared to death, risking prison for leaving the country without permission.
'Western way'
She arrived in Belgium in 2011 and applied for asylum. She lived there in the "Western way," in serious violation of the traditional values of male chauvinism followed in her homeland, as her asylum application was processed.
People from her country found out about her new life. More than ever, Sabir Nosheen faced threats of violence and death in her home country. Earlier this month, Amnesty International expressed its deep concern about her fate and the risks she takes by returning to Pakistan.
It was not enough to draw the attention of the Belgian state: while she was locked up for almost six months—for the sole reason that her asylum application was denied—Nosheen was transferred to a closed center in Steenokkerzeel, in order to be closer to the airport for the April 17 flight to bring her back to Pakistan.
Expelled
Even though Nosheen’s avenues for justice before the Council of State and the European Court of Human Rights were not exhausted, and despite the great risks she took to come in Belgium, the country made up its mind to send to her back into the lion’s den.
Nosheen’s lawyer said, "The Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons and the Council for Alien Law Litigation felt that my client has to adapt to the Pakistani traditions to avoid trouble."
Who can say that we did not know that? That the Belgian state, in violation of its own procedures, respects fundamental rights by returning this woman to a region where others are stoned for refusing a forced marriage?
The League of Human Rights, MRAX and Pigment asked the Belgian authorities to stop her expulsion and grant her asylum, but in vain.
Belgium expelled Sabir Nosheen on April 17.
