As a refugee, advocate, and human rights lawyer, I have dedicated my life to standing up for those who have been left behind, particularly refugees and Iranians seeking safety and a better life in Australia. On Tuesday, I found myself in parliament, passionately advocating for the basic rights that have been stripped away from these vulnerable communities. Little did I know that on the exact same day, another piece of legislation was passed in the house that could strip away our very existence in this country.
My family, like many others, came to Australia seeking refuge and a chance at a better life. Twelve years ago, my mother, the heart of our community, was left out as the Australian government failed to see her as a person deserving protection. My now husband, whom I met 7 years ago, is in a similar situation. Both he and my mother have had their protection claims rejected under the unfair fast-track system, which was criticised by Labor when in opposition for its unfairness and inefficiency.
This proposed bill, which will now be subject to a six-week Senate inquiry, covers people on a Bridging Visa E (BVE), including many failed by fast track who have been classified as “finally determined”. It is a cruel and heartless attack on the most vulnerable members of our society. It penalises individuals who have already been paralysed by a neglected system for years, stripping away their lives and forcing them to live in limbo.
For my family and many others, this bill would mean being exposed to prosecution, potentially being sent back to the countries they fled, and facing persecution. After the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, the Iranian community came together to fight for what is right. We stood up for the protection of our citizens against the cruelty of the regime. As a result, our identities were exposed to the government. Now many of the people who came together for this uprising are being exposed to potential criminalisation and forced removal from Australia, our safe haven for all these years.
During the uprising in Iran, both the Coalition and the government condemned the Iranian regime and stood in solidarity with our community’s fight for justice and human rights. They recognised the bravery of those standing up against tyranny and pledged their support. However, it is disheartening to see that the government has now turned against us. The proposed bill exposes us, the very people they once stood with, to the potential harm of the regime they condemned. It is a betrayal of the values of justice and compassion that Australia claims to uphold.
When I heard that this bill had passed through the house, I was overcome with despair. I felt desperate, as if I were living in a nightmare from which I could not wake. Walking through the corridors of parliament, I could not shake the fear and uncertainty that gripped me. What would happen to my family? How could this be allowed to happen?
The implications of this proposed legislation are profound and far-reaching. It gives unprecedented power to a minister and risks stripping people of their human rights and dignity. It goes against everything Australia claims to stand for. How can a country that prides itself on its commitment to human rights turn its back on those most in need?
I am scared. I am scared for my family, and for the countless others who are in similar situations. But I am also determined. I have dedicated my life to advocating for refugees and Iranians, and I will continue to do so until my last breath. I believe in the power of advocacy, in the power of standing up for what is right, even when it feels like the odds are stacked against us.
I urge my fellow Australians to stand with me. Stand with me in solidarity with refugees and Iranians who have been unjustly targeted. Stand with me in demanding justice, fairness, and compassion for all people, regardless of their background or circumstances. Stand with me in saying no to discrimination and inhumanity.
Together we can make a difference. Together we can protect the most vulnerable members of our society. Together we can create a better, more compassionate Australia for all. Stand with me, and together we will be heard.
Betia Shakiba is a human rights lawyer and refugee advocate
I am scared - Labor’s cruel deportation bill is an attack on my family and countless others like us
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28.03.2024
As a refugee, advocate, and human rights lawyer, I have dedicated my life to standing up for those who have been left behind, particularly refugees and Iranians seeking safety and a better life in Australia. On Tuesday, I found myself in parliament, passionately advocating for the basic rights that have been stripped away from these vulnerable communities. Little did I know that on the exact same day, another piece of legislation was passed in the house that could strip away our very existence in this country.
My family, like many others, came to Australia seeking refuge and a chance at a better life. Twelve years ago, my mother, the heart of our community, was left out as the Australian government failed to see her as a person deserving protection. My now husband, whom I met 7 years ago, is in a similar situation. Both he and my mother have had their protection claims rejected under the unfair fast-track system, which was criticised by Labor when in opposition for its unfairness and inefficiency.
This proposed bill, which will now be subject to a........
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