Sabit Jakupovic came to the UK from Bosnia at the age of 25 in September 1992. Having spent the previous 120 days in two different concentration camps – one of which was the notorious Omarska – he was taken straight to Hertford County Hospital. At six-foot tall, he weighed just under seven stone.
“When we arrived, I was asked by one of the nurses using hand gestures if I wanted a bath, shower or to eat,” he says, 30 years later. “I hadn’t taken a shower in 120 days. Afterwards I went outside for a cigarette and that is when it hit me I was actually free.
“I felt the indulgence of complete strangers. We left so much injustice behind but came to such kindness. You can’t describe it. We were very, very welcomed. The hospitality shown by British people, I don’t think you have that anywhere else. No other country has people as friendly as Britain.”
