The High Court finding that the Refugee Review Tribunal had failed to properly consider whether it was reasonable for an Afghan asylum seeker to relocate to Kabul because security for Hazaras was ‘relatively good’ has serious implications for the government’s recent moves to deport Afghan asylum seekers (See the decision here).
“We are calling on the government to immediately halt all plans to remove Afghan asylum seekers and to reconsider Afghan protection applications in light of the High Court finding,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
“The man who was removed to Afghanistan two weeks ago was also a truck driver driving in the same area as the case considered by the High Court in today’s judgement.
“We are calling on the government to urgently arrange for the two asylum seekers forcibly removed to Afghanistan to be brought back to Australia. It is clear that the government has returned those asylum seekers to danger. Their existence in Kabul is precarious.
“There are at least nine Afghan asylum seekers who have been re-detained since Zainullah became the first forced removal to Afghanistan in August this year.”
“The security situation in Kabul and Afghanistan is deteriorating by the day. It was always unsafe to rely on decisions made a year or more ago. Now the High Court has questioned the very basis of many RRT decisions.
“It is time for the government to provide the permanent protection that Afghan asylum seekers need.”
For more information contact Ian Rintoul mob 0417 275 713
