Observers have noted that in recent years more and more Uzbek women, suffering from domestic violence, are seeking asylum in Turkey.

“You may not believe it, but I do not really remember how I came here. My husband used to beat me severely on my head, especially my forehead against the corner of a wall. Before, I calmed myself saying “So I have such kind of husband and life, and women are beaten by their husbands.” But later, I started suffering from headaches, insomnia, and high blood pressure.

I was tired of being beaten. I started to run away to my parents’ home. My husband used to come there at nights, and take me back home beating my severely. I somehow managed to divorce him via court. But he still does not leave me alone,” says Umidahon from Namangan city.

According to the woman, her ex-husband firmly decided to kill her.

“I do not believe it, he pursued my every step. I could not go somewhere alone, could not find a job. My children could not go to school without someone accompanying them. He began to carry an ax, a knife, and threaten us saying “If you get caught, I’ll kill you.” I was so tired from all this, and drank drugs in huge amounts twice thinking that I would better die in order to get rid of these problems,” – says Umidahon, mother of three small kids.

She says she was forced to leave her children with relatives two years ago and come to Turkey.

Not knowing the local language, but with the help of her friends, a woman from Namangan was able to find a job in Istanbul.

“I took care of the elderly, looked after a sick old man, nursed children, cleaned the houses, in short, I took on any job. For the past two months I have been taking care of two year old of one woman. In one month I receive about $750 including meals and a work permit, which is necessary for working in Turkey. But the child, whom I take care of, is so mischievous that my nerves can no more stand it. The children here by nature do not resemble our children.

They are very spoiled, love freedom, and it is very challenging to endure their difficult tricks. The parents of this child call me even late at night, sometimes they torment me. I want to return home, but I’m afraid of my ex-husband, and I don’t want to stay here, as I am so tired. People here do not trust us very much, and we are the ones to blame for this. On the other hand I miss my children very much,” says Umidahon, covering her face with hands trying to hide bitter tears.

According to her, in order to get rid of harassments of ex-husband and to move her children to Istanbul, she was forced to ask for asylum from the authorities of Turkey.

“For this I refused the citizenship of Uzbekistan, such are rules here. If they approve my request, the Turkish authorities fully take me and my children under their care. After this I will be able to get rid of my ex-husband, a tyrant, and have the opportunity to live here quietly and peacefully with my children “- says Umidahon.

Currently, Umidahon suffers from severe headaches.

“But despite this, I have to endure the whims of the Turkish boy, because with the money I receive for it I am helping my children left in Namangan,” she says.

Lately, there have been several cases, when such victims of domestic violence in Uzbekistan, just like our interviewee Umidahon, ask for asylum in Turkey.

“Recently, I met a fellow citizen here. They used to live in the old city of Tashkent. She and her sister both fled from their tyrant husbands. Her husband was released from jail and began to beat her accusing her of cheating while he was behind the bars.

And the he started pursuing her. Therefore, she came to this country to hide from him. To get rid of the persecution of their husbands, the two sisters appealed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. If this body approves their request, they will settle here,” says Umidahon.

According to representative is UNHCR in Ankara, this year number of asylum seekers in Turkey is high comparing to previous years.

“Among them there are people from Iran, Bangladesh, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan,” said official of UNHCR in Ankara in a private conversation with a journalist of “Jarayon”.