5 August 2025, 14:13

By Nadine Tunasi

I grew up in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

I had a happy childhood, but when war broke out, everything changed. To escape torture and persecution – to save my life – I had to make the painful decision to leave my country forever.

I’ve now lived in the UK for over 20 years. I will always be grateful for the welcome I received and the chance to rebuild my life in safety. But I fear that people facing the same horrors I once did may not be so lucky.

There’s a perception that people ‘genuinely’ fleeing torture can use ‘official routes’ to seek safety in the UK. But for most, these routes are simply out of reach. I would have chosen a safe route if one had been available to me. But like many others, I was forced to take a treacherous journey. No one turns to smugglers........

© LBC