AN Afghan woman who spoke out against the Taliban has been left fearing for her life after the Home Office denied her a new visa and suggested she should return to Afghanistan.

Maryam Amiri, who lives in Glasgow, is calling on the government to reconsider its decision.

Her husband, who is also from Afghanistan, worked for British forces and she said it would not be safe to make either of them return.

Her MP, Alison Thewliss, said the Home Office’s advice that Mrs Amiri could return to life in Afghanistan was “dangerous” and that it did not reflect the changes in the country since her first visa was issued in 2016.

The Home Office decision notice said Mrs Amiri does not qualify for leave to remain under the five-year or 10-year partner route, despite having qualified for two shorter visa periods since 2016.

It said Mrs Amiri does not meet the minimum income requirement and that the Home Secretary has not seen any evidence that there are “insurmountable obstacles” to Mrs Amiri and her husband continuing family life together in Afghanistan.

Mrs Amiri said she has dreamed about going to university for years, but now she is due to start a course in September she fears she will not get the chance.

She also said she wishes to continue with community work in Glasgow and aspires to become a Member of the Scottish Parliament.

“I have put my life in trouble by opposing the Taliban and their activities,” she said.

“My family has already been threatened with persecution because I oppose the Taliban’s decisions on women’s rights. So, it’s really risky for me to go back.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and a Home Office spokesperson said they would not comment on individual cases.

It comes as the United Nations refugee agency’s representative to Britain warned that the government’s Illegal Migration Bill “effectively extinguishes the right to seek asylum in the UK for all but a very few refugees.”

Vicky Tennant told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme that the proposed legislation is “in breach of international law” and “the UK’s obligations under the International Refugee Convention.”