Refugee legal services stand in support of Action for Afghanistan
Community Legal Services across Australia have announced their support for the call made by the Afghan Australian Advocacy Network for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to take action for Afghanistan.
In an open letter, published last week, the Network, along with academics, lawyers, doctors, organisations and members of civil society called for the Prime Minister to take 6 urgent, concrete steps to ease the suffering of people from Afghanistan at this critical time. This letter collected more than 9000 signatories and was endorsed by 307 organisations.
Since the publication of the letter, more than 160,000 people have signed petitions in support.
The Refugee Advice and Casework Service, the Human Rights Law Centre, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Immigration Advice and Rights Centre, Refugee Legal, Circle Green Community Legal and Refugee and Immigration Legal Service, support the 6 calls for action and stand alongside the community of Afghan Australians making this demand for urgent action.
Sarah Dale, Centre Director and Principal Solicitor, Refugee Advice and Casework Service:
“Most of my legal life I have followed with horror the news that comes out of Afghanistan, but this current crisis is utter devastation.
“We are a country that prides ourselves on giving ‘a fair go’ to all, on equality for women and minority groups, on democratic freedoms. We call on the Australian Government to stand for those values that make the Australian community proud, and show compassion and humanity.
“They could do this by instantly taking the 6 steps featured in the open letter, to alleviate the suffering of the people of Afghanistan. They are very simple asks. The Australian Government could, and should, act right now.”
David Burke, Legal Director, Human Rights Law Centre:
“Australia has a moral duty to step up for the people of Afghanistan. After intervening in the US-led war two decades ago, the Morrison government must not abandon a single soul, neither here in Australia nor the people being forced to flee after the violent Taliban takeover.
“The Prime Minister could today grant permanent protection to those who are currently on temporary protection visas in Australia, commit to an additional humanitarian intake of at least 20,000 people and prioritize family reunion for people split across our two countries. The Australian government cannot walk away from what will be an ongoing humanitarian disaster.”
Dr Carolyn Graydon, Principal Solicitor at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre:
“What is needed is a generous and practical response from Australia to assist the families of Afghan Australians suffering in Afghanistan. As previous Governments have done during times of humanitarian crisis involving affected Australian communities and interests, there needs to be more places committed and streamlined processes to allow people to escape from Afghanistan or bordering countries to be swiftly reunited with their families before they are killed or further harmed.
“It is one of those moments when the Australian Government will be judged for its values, morality and compassion and for its competence in saving lives and preventing further suffering.”
Gregory Rohan, Director, Immigration Advice and Rights Centre:
“We can and must do more for the people of Afghanistan, especially for those with family in Australia.
“With the stroke of a pen, the Minister could immediately increase Australia’s humanitarian intake, prioritising high risk groups and people with Australian relatives; expedite the processing of Family stream visas for the family of Australian citizens and permanent residents in Afghanistan; and grant permanent protection to the thousands of people from Afghanistan in Australia on temporary visas who cannot return home.
“Australia has stepped up in times of crisis before. Now is the time to step up again and act quickly to alleviate some of the suffering for people from Afghanistan here and their families back home.”
David Manne, Executive Director & Principal Solicitor, Refugee Legal:
“Amidst the devastating crisis in Afghanistan, Australia has a fundamental obligation to immediately step up and do more to respond to the desperate plight of Afghan people. It must start with lifting the humanitarian intake by at least an extra 20,000 people.
“Australia has deep and longstanding connection with people from Afghanistan, whether through family and friends, or working with the Australian Government and NGOs and others. There is a driving moral responsibility to act now and not abandon so many people in danger and distress. We must evacuate people at imminent risk, grant permanent protection to Afghans on temporary visas, reassess refused cases, and expand family reunion for relatives at risk. Australia has a deep tradition of stepping up at times of humanitarian crisis to provide direct help and international leadership. It is incumbent upon Australia to do so again now.”
Katy Welch, Managing Solicitor, Circle Green Community Legal:
“Australia needs to provide a substantial humanitarian response to the people in Afghanistan and to the Afghan community who have made Australia their home. There is a need for realistic and practical options to secure peoples safety and for family in Australia to seek family reunification regardless of visa status, citizenship or mode of arrival.
“The outpouring of grief by the Afghan community has been overwhelming. The current commitments by the Australian Government are disheartening and clearly insufficient given the scope of the crisis.”
With the US aiming to withdraw completely from Afghanistan by August 31, and with the airport in Kabul being reported as impossible to access, there is renewed urgency for the Prime Minister to help at-risk groups and to ease the suffering of people from Afghanistan by:
Committing to an additional humanitarian intake of at least 20,000 prioritising the most vulnerable persecuted people of Afghanistan, similar to Canada’s announcement on 14 August 2021 accepting 20,000 refugees from Afghanistan and similar to Australia’s response to the Syrian conflict in 2015 in accepting 12,000 vulnerable Syrian refugees.
Expediting the resettlement of interpreters in Afghanistan, guides and other personnel involved in Australia’s mission in Afghanistan.
Granting permanent protection to more than 5,100 refugees from Afghanistan, predominantly from the historically persecuted Hazara ethnic groups, who are currently on temporary protection visas in Australia.
Granting amnesty to all nationals of Afghanistan currently in Australia who fear returning to Afghanistan.
Prioritising the family reunification visas of Afghan-Australians, including those who are prevented from reuniting with their families due to a government ministerial directive that requires the Department of Home Affairs to deprioritise family reunion of hundreds of Afghans in Australia.
Lifting the ban on resettlement of refugees to Australia through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Indonesia, a ban which has been in place since 2014. This ban continues to limit resettlement options for 10,000 refugees from Afghanistan awaiting safety and protection.
Media contact:
Emma Davies, RACS: 0408 840 567, emma.davies@racs.org.au
Michelle Bennett, HRLC: 0419 100 519, michelle.bennett@hrlc.org.au