After Kabul bombing, Australian Government must act immediately to increase humanitarian intake: Afghanistan-Australian Advocacy Network
The Afghanistan-Australian Advocacy Network are urgently calling on the Morrison Government to take immediate steps to save lives and protect the Afghan community, particularly those already here in Australia.
The call comes after the bombing of Kabul Airport overnight that took the lives of over 100 people. In response, the Australian Government announced an end to the evacuation mission from Afghanistan with the withdrawal of all Australian troops.
There are now serious fears about the fate of the people of Afghanistan who have already suffered decades long war, injustice and ongoing trauma, and are now facing an imminent humanitarian crisis with the violent Taliban takeover and now the bombing attributed to Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP).
The Afghanistan-Australian Advocacy Network (AAAN) is urging the Australian Government to take critical, simple and straightforward steps, right now.
The Australian Government has a moral obligation and clear responsibility to protect those most vulnerable. Australia can act today to offer such protection through several avenues here in Australia that would result in immediate action.
This includes providing permanent protection to the 4,200+ refugees on temporary protection visas here in Australia. Prioritising the family-reunification visas of Afghan-Australians. And lifting the ban on resettlement of refugees to Australia through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Indonesia.
The AAAN are also calling for an urgent commitment to an additional humanitarian intake of at least 20,000 places, prioritising the most vulnerable persecuted people of Afghanistan, including women, minority groups, LGBTIQA+, human rights defenders, interpreters, guides and other personnel involved in Australia’s mission in Afghanistan.
Whilst the Australian Government has withdrawn evacuations from Kabul, the evacuation mission could continue from neighbouring states, such as Pakistan, enabling those who managed to flee to neighbouring countries to find safety. A commitment to these additional places would be an indication by the Australian Government that they are committed to fulfilling their promises to the people of Afghanistan.
The Australian community is clearly calling for Action For Afghanistan as evidenced by over 165,000 signatures endorsing an Open Letter signed by 9000+ individuals and 300 organisations
Arif Hussein, Human Rights Lawyer:
“The hasty, chaotic, and irresponsible manner in which international troop withdrawal from Afghanistan has taken place leading up to 31 August 2021, has directly contributed to the current humanitarian crisis the Afghan people face and the recent attacks by Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP).”
“After two decades of intervention and promises, the Afghan people are now abandoned to face the double threat of a Taliban rule, and ISKP attacks with the devastating consequence seen overnight.”
Zarlasht Sarwari, Social Researcher:
“The Scott Morrison government has a moral obligation to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and must act now to increase our humanitarian intake from Afghanistan to 20,000 places, grant permanent protection all Afghan refugees in Australia, and prioritise family reunion visas of Afghan-Australians”
Diana Sayed, CEO of Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights:
“Afghans are today once again paying the highest price for the chaos that has ensued over the last week at the Kabul Airport. We, as a collective of Afghans here in Australia are feeling overwhelmed and heartbroken on multiple fronts as we witness what is unfolding.”
“The time for hand wringing is over. We need to listen to the very genuine calls and feelings of those Afghans left behind and do everything that we can to bring them to safety. Now is the time for Australia to step up and do what is right. We have precedence in this country for doing what is right when history requires it, now is no exception”.
The Afghan Australian Advocacy Network is made up of people from diverse ethnic and religious groups which form the Afghan Australian community, including academics, lawyers, health workers, advocates, community workers, tradespeople, educators, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters.
Media contact:
Emma Davies (RACS)
emma.davies@racs.org.au