BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

Between Ourselves

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Life Stories

Series bringing together people who have had profound and similar experiences

Series bringing together people who have had profound and similar experiences to hear their individual stories and compare the long-term effects on each of their lives

Between Ourselves: Series 5

Between Ourselves: Series 5: Episode 2

Episode 2

Series 5

BBC Radio 4 - Between Ourselves, Series 5, Episode 2

Olivia O'Leary talks to an Iraqi Kurd and an Iranian Azeri about being refugees in the UK.

Olivia O'Leary talks to an Iraqi Kurd and an Iranian Azeri about their lives as refugees. Mohamed became a refugee in 2009, and Zirak was granted refugee status in 2002.

An Iraqi Kurd and an Iranian Azeri discuss their lives as refugees in the United Kingdom. Mohamed (from Iran) became a refugee in 2009, while Zirak was granted refugee status in 2002 and now has British citizenship. What is it like to leave family and friends behind in your home country, possibly never to return? Have you put them in danger by leaving? Is it easy to settle in the UK? 

Zirak was involved with an organisation that wanted a free Kurdistan. When the group was discovered, two of his friends were arrested and one subsequently died. He started receiving threatening letters and knew he had to leave. He left in 2002 and, from Turkey, was smuggled out in a lorry. When he eventually arrived in the UK, he didn't know what country he was in, and couldn't speak any English. 

Mohamed travelled here to study music and became involved with Azeri politics; friends back home were arrested as a result, and he began to realise that he, too, would be arrested if he returned. He applied for refugee status, which was granted extremely quickly - it was just a month before he was told he had leave to remain for five years. He hopes to return home one day.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Olivia O'Leary brings together two people who have had profound and similar experiences

Olivia O'Leary presents the series which brings together two people who have had profound and similar experiences

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Between Ourselves

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