From diplomat to dinghy: why people are risking the Channel in small boats
by Diane Taylor from on (#58H7T)
A blinded politician, a woman who was gang-raped, and a young man whose kidney was stolen tell how they had no choice
Dr Yahya al-Rewi 60, from Yemen, has gone from diplomat to dinghy: he was president of his government's national information centre, part of the interior ministry.
Before all the problems started I travelled from country to country by plane using my diplomatic passport. When I arrived at airports I didn't have to queue as I was taken through the special gate for diplomats. At that time all the doors were open for me. Now they are closed. I had no choice but to cross the Channel to the UK in a dinghy to try to reach safety."
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