Refugee Rights Action Network WA
In the past 3 days several Hazara asylum seekers on Bridging visas in different states, have been given letters telling them among other things to present airline tickets to go back to Afghanistan. This is very distressing to these vulnerable men, many of whom have spent 2 years in isolated detention centres and who were released on Bridging visas.
Three weeks before the letters were issued, these men had their ASAS support (equivalent to 89% of the lowest Centrelink payment) cut without notice. They were already desperately looking for work, but their problem was most employers will not accept them because of the Bridging visa, because employers don’t know how long someone will stay. As a consequence many are now destitute, surviving on the goodwill and floors of their friends.
These men are in the group who had their processing suspended for 9 months and so were in administrative detention for up to 12 months without any processing of their claims. They were assessed under the now discontinued Independent Merits Review system. This proved so unsatisfactory that it was discontinued but those men whose cases were processed before March this year have had no avenue for redress for what was an arbitrary assessment often lacking in fairness.
And now they are told they must go back to Afghanistan, whence they fled. These men have not had a fair go. Already one man became so distressed that he was admitted to a Psychiatric hospital. To add to this stress, another man who went in to renew his visa, was immediately taken to a detention centre where he had “Voluntary” Removal (DEPORTATION) documents put before him and urged to sign. He refused. He is receiving legal advice.
It is important that that anyone returned to detention gets immediate and urgent legal advice. The men with letters are being given 2-3 months so far. They also need support. We are seeking clarification of this situation and will advise as soon as possible.
Please share this information so that those supporting asylum seekers can assist these men when they get the letters.
It’s cruel beyond belief to plan to deport Hazara asylum seekers in a week where 17 Hazaras were beheaded for listening to music. The Pakistani government is also deporting and expelling Hazaras. I can only repeat the Hazara question “are we not human too?’
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