Human rights advocates are urging the Australian Government to fix the retrospective unfairness affecting 8,400 refugees who have lived without certainty in Australia for more than a decade because of the unfair Fast Track process. The call comes as refugees negatively affected by the Fast Track process have achieved the remarkable feat of 100 days of continuous 24/7 protest outside government offices in Melbourne where the national actions started on 15 July. Refugees and supporters are calling for permanent visas for everyone who has been in limbo for the past 12 years because of the flawed fast track process.

Speaking at the national Rural Australians for Refugees conference last weekend, protest organisers Narges Shaterian, Rathy Barthlote and Harini Sabeshkumar described the immense pressure caused by living without certainty for twelve years.

Rathy Barthlote, Eelam Tamil refugee, mother of two, and co-founder of Refugee Women Action for Visa Equality

“Over the past 12 years, we have lost many of our friends, family, community because of this lack of certainty. We cannot live without certainty any longer. The past 100 days has been very hard. We have been sleeping outside government offices now for 100 days because we feel desperate. But we are strong – and we will keep going until everyone affected by fast track can fully call themselves at home here in Australia, with permanent visas.”

The 24/7 Docklands action ends today at the milestone of 100 days, whilst the 24/7 Dandenong action will continue.

Iranian refugee and organiser of the Dandenong encampment Narges Shaterian of Asylum Rights Campaign

“We have already been contributing to Australia for 12 years – running successful businesses, paying taxes, and using qualifications and training gained here to improve Australia. With permanent visas, we can do more to build a better Australia.”

“But not everyone has visa certainty – and this uncertainty of living in limbo is causing so much pressure and heartbreak.”

“We have been under so much pressure for the past 12 years – and now maintaining this protest for more than 100 days. But we will never give up – not until we have a positive result.”

Human rights advocates speaking at last week’s conference also noted that the unfair system affecting these people has created extreme disadvantage, including high rates of mental health issues and destitution.

The fairer review process to be provided by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) introduced on 14 October is welcome, but thousands of people refused refugee protection under Fast Track will not be eligible for review by the ART. These people remain uncertain about their future after 12 long years.

To deliver on Labor’s pre-election platform of fair and humane policies, refugee advocates are urging Tony Burke Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Cyber Security and Arts to provide permanency for people who have been living in limbo in our communities for more than 12 years.

Associate Professor Caroline Fleay, Centre for Human Rights Education at Curtin University
“Australia’s Fast Track process has created a human rights tragedy for thousands of people who have not had a fair hearing for their protection claims. The Albanese Government has long recognised the unfairness of Fast Track and one of its first actions was to grant permanent visas to the Nadesalingam family so they could return to Biloela. We urge the new minister to finish the job and bring the remaining refugees seeking protection in out of the cold.”

Paul Dalzell, President, Rural Australians for Refugees
“These people have been part of our communities for over 12 years. But without permanent visas, they remain excluded and extremely disadvantaged. We urge the Minister to recognise the incredible skills, value and resilience that these community members bring and find ways to provide permanent visas so they can rebuild.”

Marie Hapke, Australian Refugee Action Network
“Having spent many hours with those protesting in Melbourne, I am in awe of their resilience and resolute hope for a safe and secure in Australia, even after more than a decade of visa uncertainty. It’s time for Labor to honour their hopes and fulfil the expectations of all Australians who want to see fair and compassionate responses to those who seek our protection.”

Janet Joss, Executive, Grandmothers for Refugees
"We call on the government to end the suffering of people who have been stuck on precarious temporary visas for more than 12 years, while trying to build safe lives for their families. Living in constant fear of being sent back to danger and prohibited from traveling outside Australia, they have been separated from their loved ones and unable to plan. It’s time to end this leftover Morrison policy and resolve the situation for those who want to permanently call Australia home."

These refugees live on temporary bridging visas which means:
• Heartache and anxiety caused by being separated for years from loved ones who are still in situations of great uncertainty or danger.
• Some do not have the right to work and many endure long periods without access to Medicare.
• Most young people on a bridging visa cannot study at university, even though they have done all their schooling in Australia.
• None can access the safety net of Centrelink supports and increasing numbers of people are at risk of homelessness.

The 24/7 action began in Melbourne on 15 July and spread nationally, with actions in Sydney (78 days), Brisbane (64), Adelaide (50) and Perth (43). Advocates from the Australian Refugee Action Network, Grandmothers for Refugees, the Permanency and Family Reunion Network and Rural Australians for Refugees are backing the call for permanency for all refugees held in limbo by the flawed Fast Track process.

For media queries and to arrange interviews, call:

Refugees and encampment organisers:

- Rathy Barthlote, Docklands 0435849592
- Narges Shaterian, Dandenong 0424401349

Sector contacts:

- Sandy Watson 0401 714 880 (Rural Australians for Refugees)
- Marie Hapke 0409252673 (Australian Refugee Action Network)