By Loz Lawrey
In late 2021 Afghanistan’s capital Kabul fell to the Taliban. These religious zealots had swept through the country following the withdrawal of American forces from the country.
At the time I, along with other Australian citizens, assisted Afghans whose very existence was threatened by the new regime to complete and lodge applications for humanitarian rescue visas to Australia.
It can be hard for Australians, cocooned as we are in a democratic first world nation where our freedoms and human rights are taken for granted, to fully comprehend the stress, anxiety and fear which rules the lives of minorities living in societies controlled by toxic regimes, particularly religious ones such as that of the Taliban in Afghanistan and the Islamic republican government in Iran.
The very concept of religious extremists holding the levers of government power in any nation is abhorrent to all of us who favour science, critical thinking and reason over blind belief in whatever the high priests of religious dogma dish up.
Blind Freddie knows that government should always be secular and separate from the mythologies and doctrines of religion and belief.
Whilst those who label themselves “people of faith” tend to claim the moral high ground on all issues, there can be no doubt that most religions create deep division in societies around the world.
Once any religious group is allowed to take power and govern any nation there will always be ”non-believers” who will suffer at their hands. Inquisitions would become a constant evil once again.
During the Spanish Inquisition (1478-1834… nearly 400 years!), those who refused to follow and champion the often-absurd dictates of the high priests of Catholicism were labelled “heretics” and hunted down and often tortured and executed.
In theocracies, as in fascist/authoritarian regimes, minorities are often targeted for repression, and ultimately genocide and elimination.
Under Hitler’s Fascist regime in Germany communists, unionists, gypsies and Jews as well as the disabled were “othered” and cast aside, targeted for repression and abuse.
Under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, women and Afghans of Hazara ethnicity as well as secular non-religious citizens are also demonised and hunted down.
Religion? Let’s face it. Religion ruins the world.
These (usually patriarchal) organisations that claim to offer “salvation” and “redemption” offer nothing more to humanity than fear, corruption, confusion, doubt, hatred, division and warmongering.
The world has witnessed the religious repression of women in Iran, where the “Morality Police” patrol the streets and harass women for not wearing bags on their heads.
One has to wonder: what drives men (and let’s face it, it’s always men) to inflict such suffering upon others?
Globally, we are witnessing thousands of desperate people annually fleeing impossible situations in their countries of birth in search of a better life – all they want is a chance to live, to learn and grow, to work, support their families and raise their children in safety and decency.
All they seek is the normalcy we here in Australia take for granted.
Sadly, so many nations around the world seem unable to meet the basic humanitarian needs of their own citizens.
The few bad apples always ruin things for the many…
And yet, once desperate people respond to their own situations by attempting to relocate to more humane societies, whether by paying “people smugglers” exorbitant prices for a place on overcrowded and often leaky boats or by crossing borders illegally to seek refuge as aliens in neighbouring nations with slightly less repressive governments, they find further demonisation and rejection.
Sometimes I myself, as an Australian who has enjoyed all the benefits of living in the “lucky country”, the “land of the fair go”, find myself cringing in disgust at the attitudes of some of my fellow citizens towards those of different cultural backgrounds and ethnicities. Ewe can be so selfish.
Are we not, in this Lucky Nation, well positioned to assist those in need?
We are world leaders in the establishment and maintenance of multiculturalism, and we continue, daily, to learn more as a people about inclusion and acceptance.
It hasn’t been easy and there remains much fear and bigotry to overcome, but our Australian melting pot of ethnicities and cultures is truly a wonder to behold.
People praise to the so-called “American Experiment” of democracy (which is sadly in great danger of foundering upon the rocks of right wing lies and propaganda) but the Australian Experiment of multiculturalism and inclusion is something to be proud of. It’s still a work in progress, but I believe we’re making headway.
And let’s be clear: desperate people all around the world see hope and opportunity here in our nation and look to us for refuge.
Yet how do we respond?
I write this piece in an attempt to put a human face to the suffering our own Australian government inflicts upon so many of those who approach us asking for our assistance.
In October 2021, within months of the Taliban takeover, I lodged a humanitarian visa application for a young Hazara woman and her family of nine.
I do not wish to endanger her, so I won’t name her, and I won’t disclose her family’s current location. Suffice to say, she is a sportsperson whose promising career ended when the misogynists of the Taliban took over the government of her nation.
To the Taliban she is a threat: a woman of Hazara ethnicity doing well in her chosen occupation. A woman who was set to thrive in the new emerging Afghan state which was destroyed overnight by U.S. President Joe Biden’s clumsy withdrawal of American forces and the subsequent Taliban takeover.
I have great admiration for this young woman because most members of her team are now resident here in Australia.
She had the opportunity to relocate with them but chose instead to remain in Afghanistan to support her family of nine.
Now they have relocated to another country where that must try to subsist as refugees in a society that does not welcome them.
I also lodged an application at the same time for a young Hazara man living in Kabul. His life and future were destroyed by the Taliban’s accession to power.
I shall keep his current location confidential as well.
He also lives in hiding as an illegal refugee in a nation which does not want him and whose authorities would repatriate him if he came to their attention, effectively sentencing him to likely death at Taliban hands.
Prior to fleeing his country of birth he was twice detained and tortured by Taliban members in Kabul. Other members of his family had been previously murdered in the regions during the Taliban’s march on Kabul in August 2021.
His crime? Simply being of Hazara ethnicity, being a 27-year-old non-religious graduate of Kabul University, holding progressive non-Islamist views, with a track record of championing women’s rights and the importance of voting and actively participating in democracy.
This young man, whom I have come to know quite well, would make a fine Australian citizen. Of this I have no doubt. I know that he already shares our values and humanitarian aspirations.
So, these young people, whose lives are currently on hold due to the circumstances in which they find themselves, waited over a year to learn that their applications had been accepted as valid.
Both were allocated case/file numbers. This meant that their applications were now in the queue for assessment and further action…
But WHEN???
Let’s remember that we are talking about humanitarian rescue visas here… how long should a “rescue” take?
The application form is 34 pages long! It’s labelled “humanitarian” but the process it engenders is totally cruel and inhumane.
Over two years have passed since these visa applications were lodged but under the current Home Affairs regime these desperate people can wait years to learn whether their visa applications have been successful.
The Department refuses all requests for updates and information from applicants. Letters and emails are left unanswered and all those who attempt to contact Home Affairs are effectively showered with contempt.
I do try very hard to maintain my faith in the basic goodness in the heart of our nation…
I must admit though… as a lifelong Labor voter I am disgusted to see our current government treating asylum seekers as cruelly as the previous one.
[textblock style=”7″]
Like what we do at The AIMN?
You’ll like it even more knowing that your donation will help us to keep up the good fight.
Chuck in a few bucks and see just how far it goes!
Your contribution to help with the running costs of this site will be gratefully accepted.
You can donate through PayPal or credit card via the button below, or donate via bank transfer: BSB: 062500; A/c no: 10495969
[/textblock]
