Sudanese student living in Kazakhstan, saw his life turned upside down when the conflict broke out. His home was destroyed, his hometown bombed, and his parents displaced. In the hope of finding protection, he applied for asylum in Kazakhstan — a request that was nonetheless rejected, despite the obvious risks he faces.
After having his asylum request denied in three countries, Ameer is now stranded in Malaysia, clinging to one final hope: to finally be welcomed into a country as a refugee.
Amir Eltaib was a 20-year-old Sudanese student at one of universities in Almaty, and held a student visa when the civil war broke out in Sudan. Given the current political situation in Sudan, which is internationally recognized, Amir decided to apply for refugee status in Kazakhstan due to the expiration of his student visa.
Nevertheless, Amir’s application was rejected in accordance with the law “Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated December 4, 2009 No. 216-IV ‘On Refugees.’” Indeed, as stipulated by Kazakh national law, refugee status cannot be granted to a person fleeing war or insecurity in their country.
Although Kazakhstan is aware of the political situation in Sudan, it has decided to deport Amir back to Sudan, remaining inflexible in the face of his situation.
But Amir’s ordeal was far from over. In fact, to avoid this expulsion — which amounted to a death sentence — Amir decided to travel to Rwanda, a country that offered a refugee reception program. But upon arrival, everything collapsed. Barely off the plane, the door to safety slammed shut. The Rwandan authorities, indifferent, refused to even glance at his documents. No explanation, no compassion — he had to leave.
Expelled without ceremony, Amir was sent to Qatar — a country that does not even recognize refugee status. As a result, he was redirected back to Almaty. Back to square one, but far worse. He could neither legally enter Kazakhstan, nor stay in the transit zone, nor be sure he would avoid deportation to Sudan.
Thanks to the help of donors, Amir was able to purchase a plane ticket to one of the few visa-free countries for Sudan. But this country that does not recognize refugee status. It has also not signed the 1951 International Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Now Ameer has no right to work, no protection, and only one deadline looming: August 2, 2025, the date on which his tourist visa will expire. From that moment on, Amir could be arrested at any time and deported to a country where he faces the risk of torture — or even death.
The situation in Sudan
This geopolitical crisis has multiple roots, but since 2023, the situation has drastically worsened, once again unleashing a torrent of suffering upon the Sudanese people. Indeed, Sudan has become the battleground of a devastating power struggle between the regular army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary militia commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
The human rights situation in Sudan is beyond critical.
According to the most recent report — which can already be considered outdated (prepared pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution S-36/1) — the High Commissioner outlines the main human rights issues that arose in Sudan between December 16, 2023, and November 15, 2024.
According to this report, an alarming number of civilians — numbering in the thousands — have been killed or injured during bombings, airstrikes, attacks on schools, as well as summary executions, acts of sexual violence, arbitrary detentions, and enforced disappearances.
More recently, on May 1, 2025, Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, once again sounded the alarm in a press release about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Sudan.
According to his words, the horror striking Sudan “knows no limits,” and the disastrous impact on human rights is “a daily reality experienced by millions of Sudanese people.”
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Ameer now lives with a sword of Damocles hanging over him, in the daily anguish of being forcibly returned to a war-torn country — a country with no future, where he will face persecution.
The KIBHR team is currently in contact with different actors who maybe can assist in his situation.
At present Amir needs to stay in that country for a few months.
If anyone has the opportunity to support Amir, you can send the amount to his Kazakh bank account.
For transfers from foreign banks:
Account KZ 59722C000071773469 in Kaspi Bank JSC
SWFT code CASPKZZKA
Ameer Adil Mohammed Eltaib
