All Kurdish asylum-seeker Erdal Dogan wanted was a peaceful home for himself and his family.
For more than eight years, Dogan fought in vain to be recognized as a refugee in Japan. And now, his battle is over. He and his family have been granted asylum — in Canada.
Back home in Turkey, Dogan, 33, was involved in antigovernment Kurdish-based activities. He witnessed his friends and relatives being detained and tortured by military officials. Fearing persecution after being repeatedly arrested, Dogan fled to Japan in 1999.