This portrait series is part of the interactive multimedia long-read experience Shield of Europe. To view the full story, please visit Shield of Europe.
Moria Camp, Lesbos - 23/11/2019
An Afghan asylum seeker strolls through the hills surrounding the Moria camp.
Moria Camp, Lesbos - 23/11/2019
A young Afghan migrant looks out over the Moria Camp by a makeshift bakery.
Moria Camp, Lesbos - 23/11/2019
A young Afghan woman in her tent in the Moria camp.
Kara Tepe, Lesbos - 15/09/2020
Qutaiba Alawad (age 28) and his daughters Dana Alawad (age 3) and Fatema Alawad (age 5) from Syria.
Moria Camp, Lesbos - 29/11/2019
Safar (age 6) on a sleeping bag at night, just before she falls asleep. Two small pop-up tents joined together with a tarp serve as a home for the young Afghan girl and her family. Her grandfather says the Moria camp is even worse than Afghanistan where, he lost two sons, a daughter and his home to the Taliban because of the family’s Hazara roots.
Moria Camp, Lesbos - 27/11/2019
Mohammed Alhamod Al Helal from Syria in his tent in the Moria camp. Mohammed says he was a fighter pilot for the Syrian Airforce under president Bashar Hafiz al-Assad. When he was ordered to bomb civilian targets, he deserted and fled the country. If he goes back, he says he will be executed.
Kara Tepe Camp, Lesbos - 29/11/2019
FLTR up: Tawhid Amini, Idris Amini, Mohammad Osman Amini, Hadis Amini. FLTR down: Mah Khanum Amini, Hoodad Amini, Makai Amini, Saifullah Amini, Tayeba Amini.
When Safiullah’s nephew in Afghanistan converted to Christianity, it put a target on his back. In the country, some believe a ‘Murtadd’ (one who turns his back on Islam) may be killed on sight. The Aminis’ helped their nephew escape and handed him over to the Afghan government. With the help of the British and American forces, the boy was brought to safety. But when it became known that the Aminis had helped the boy, they became targets themselves. Persecuted by religious leaders and the Taliban, Saifullah’s brother was killed. They fled to another village, but another family member was killed. When the family kept receiving death threats, they decided to flee their country.
Kara Tepe Camp, Lesbos - 29/11/2019
Abdol Azimi (age 70) is suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, dementia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. He fled Afghanistan with his family after their home was invaded by the Taliban. The women and children were harmed that night, Abdul was powerless to intervene. His son Saeid says Abdol was never quite the same after that.
Saeid took turns with his brother, carrying their father across the Turkish border. They walked for ten days, trying to avoid border patrols. On their first try, they didn’t make it. Bullets fly, and Abdol’s sister dies. Prison and deportation followed, and the family found itself back in Afghanistan, their village now controlled by the Taliban. They never planned to stay. After a year, they once again set off on the 3000-mile journey to Europe. This time, they made it.
The Azimis were on Lesbos for fifteen months before being granted asylum. They now live in Athens.
Mytilini, Lesbos - 20/11/2019
Sayed and Basiraa Kabir (from Herat, Afghanistan) with their daughter on a bench in Mytilini, about 10 kilometers from Moria Camp.