Political Refugees

Coupling existential themes with politics and psychology, Political Refugees: A New Perspective tells the story of Iranian political refugees through case studies and coauthor Armin Danesh’s own personal narrative. All the refugees featured in this book were politically engaged and suffered as a consequence, but their stories demonstrate the human capacity to be transformed through crisis.

Many books about refugees focus on their trauma, loss, and victimhood. Refugees are often regarded as problems for governments and social services in the countries where they seek asylum. This unique book presents a very different view. Coupling existential themes with politics and psychology, Political Refugees tells the story of a number of Iranian political refugees, through case studies and through Armin Danesh’s own life story. Danesh has more than three decades of experience of working with refugees who have survived trauma and who continue to work for the causes close to their hearts. All the refugees presented here were politically engaged and suffered as a consequence. In their new home country, however, they not only survived but were reborn and forged new opportunities.

The book demonstrates people's capacity to transform themselves through crisis. The stories told will be invaluable for organizations or individuals who study or work with refugees or anyone who has suffered extreme adversity.

Acknowledgements

Preface

Armin Danesh

Introduction

Alison Assiter and Armin Danesh

1 The Refugee “Problem”

Alison Assiter

2 My Perception of Political Refugees

Armin Danesh

3 I Am a Political Refugee

Armin Danesh

4 The Research Strategy

Armin Danesh

5 The Participants’ Voice

Armin Danesh

6 Experiences of Adaptation and Resettlement in the United Kingdom

Armin Danesh

7 Clinical Relevance

Armin Danesh

Conclusion

Armin Danesh and Alison Assiter

About the Authors