‘I Felt Trauma Again’: Refugees Detained For Years Have Now Been Told They Can’t Settle In Aus

Refugees and asylum seekers who were imprisoned in Australia’s torturous offshore immigration detention for up to 10 years have now been told by the Federal Government they must leave Australia. Farhad Bandesh, a Kurdish refugee who spent more than seven years in indefinite detention, received a letter from the Department of Home Affairs out of the blue last week that said “settlement in Australia is not an option for you”. It suggested he apply for a New Zealand or United States visa instead and that he had to advise the department of his travel plans within six days. Other refugees on temporary visas in Australia have reported receiving the same letter.

This letter is full of hatred and division.

After suffering a decade in detention, they say resettlement in Australia is not an option for us. With a lot of restrictions and difficulties we’re trying to build a life. I’d like to stay with people I love. Day 18 pic.twitter.com/u1ul9wrmIq — Moz (Mostafa Azimitabar) (@AzimiMoz) September 22, 2022