Mehria Ashuftah: From Refugee to Hamburg State Parliament Member with the SPD
Mehria Ashuftah, a 36-year-old Afghan-born lawyer and university lecturer, has made history by securing a seat in the Hamburg State Parliament as a representative of the Social Democratic Party (SPD). Her journey from a refugee child in a Hamburg shelter to a political leader is a story of resilience, perseverance, and a deep commitment to justice and equality.
A Childhood of Hardship and Determination
Mehria was born in Afghanistan but fled with her family to Germany as a child. Their early years in Hamburg were challenging, living in a refugee shelter and struggling with financial difficulties. She often felt like "the other"—not speaking German, wearing hand-me-down clothes, and sometimes going to school without lunch.
Her father, determined to provide a better life, worked tirelessly as a dishwasher, gardener, handyman, and taxi driver. Mehria and her mother also worked, delivering newspapers while pushing her baby brother in a stroller. Despite the hardships, education remained a core family value. Her father always emphasized hard work, social engagement, and academic achievement, which shaped Mehria’s aspirations for law and politics.
Professional Success and Activism
Mehria pursued her dream of becoming a lawyer, university professor, and advocate for migrants’ rights. Today, she holds multiple prestigious positions:
Her work has also extended to the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), where she supported former Afghan local staff in navigating the asylum and resettlement process.
A Historic Political Step
Mehria’s election to the Hamburg State Parliament is a significant milestone, particularly for Afghan migrants and minorities in Germany. She believes that representation in government institutions is essential for real change and has committed to working on critical issues such as:
Mehria acknowledges that Afghan women in Germany have become increasingly active in democracy, gender equality, and human rights, launching initiatives to make their voices heard. Her election marks a breakthrough in that movement.
A Voice for Change
Despite the SPD's challenges in federal elections, Mehria remained optimistic about the party’s success in Hamburg. She never saw her candidacy as a personal ambition but as a mission to fight for justice, social inclusion, and a fairer Germany.
Mehria Ashuftah’s journey—from a refugee shelter to the Hamburg State Parliament—demonstrates that with determination and hard work, meaningful change is possible. Now, she stands ready to make a difference for migrants, women, and marginalized communities in Germany.
Mehria Ashuftah, a 36-year-old Afghan-born lawyer and university lecturer, has made history by securing a seat in the Hamburg State Parliament as a representative of the Social Democratic Party (SPD). Her journey from a refugee child in a Hamburg shelter to a political leader is a story of resilience, perseverance, and a deep commitment to justice and equality.
A Childhood of Hardship and Determination
Mehria was born in Afghanistan but fled with her family to Germany as a child. Their early years in Hamburg were challenging, living in a refugee shelter and struggling with financial difficulties. She often felt like "the other"—not speaking German, wearing hand-me-down clothes, and sometimes going to school without lunch.
Her father, determined to provide a better life, worked tirelessly as a dishwasher, gardener, handyman, and taxi driver. Mehria and her mother also worked, delivering newspapers while pushing her baby brother in a stroller. Despite the hardships, education remained a core family value. Her father always emphasized hard work, social engagement, and academic achievement, which shaped Mehria’s aspirations for law and politics.
Professional Success and Activism
Mehria pursued her dream of becoming a lawyer, university professor, and advocate for migrants’ rights. Today, she holds multiple prestigious positions:
- Lawyer at Deloitte Legal
- Lecturer at the University of Hamburg’s Faculty of Law
- Instructor at the Hamburg Police Academy’s Institute for Transcultural Competence
- Founder and Director of the Refugee Law Clinic Hamburg – #KnowYourRights (since 2015)
- Ambassador for the GermanDream education initiative
- Protector at the Hamburg Student Union
Her work has also extended to the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), where she supported former Afghan local staff in navigating the asylum and resettlement process.
A Historic Political Step
Mehria’s election to the Hamburg State Parliament is a significant milestone, particularly for Afghan migrants and minorities in Germany. She believes that representation in government institutions is essential for real change and has committed to working on critical issues such as:
- Education Reform: She considers education the foundation for a just and equal society.
- Justice and Equality: Strengthening anti-discrimination laws and ensuring equal opportunities for all migrants.
- Migrant Rights: Advocating for Afghan migrants and other marginalized communities.
Mehria acknowledges that Afghan women in Germany have become increasingly active in democracy, gender equality, and human rights, launching initiatives to make their voices heard. Her election marks a breakthrough in that movement.
A Voice for Change
Despite the SPD's challenges in federal elections, Mehria remained optimistic about the party’s success in Hamburg. She never saw her candidacy as a personal ambition but as a mission to fight for justice, social inclusion, and a fairer Germany.
Mehria Ashuftah’s journey—from a refugee shelter to the Hamburg State Parliament—demonstrates that with determination and hard work, meaningful change is possible. Now, she stands ready to make a difference for migrants, women, and marginalized communities in Germany.
