of Launceston
Download a Circle of Friends Poster
December 2002
submission from the President of the Hazara Ethnic Society,Hassam Gulam.
Some Information about Hassam, originally from Afghanistan but has been resident for the last 17 years.
Hassam is coach of the
Tiger 11s soccer team,whose members are all refugees,mostly Hazara.
The Hazara Ethnic Society assists Hazara refugees in detention centres and in the community providing information about legal issues and helping with applications for permanent residency.
A big part of the work is as a liaison between the community and refugees,particularly in respect of translating letters from refugees in detention centres.
The Refugee Review Tribunal hearing on Mohib Sarwari's case was
held on Friday,May 16.,via telelink from Launceston.
If Mohib loses the case,there is a chance that the entire Sarwari family
will be sent back to Baxter or another detention centre to face deportation.
This should not happen because of their bridging visa,however DIMIA
seems to make up the rules as they go along.
The slowness of DIMIA and the Australian Government
to respond to deportation orders,mean there are many people
awaiting deportation that have been languishing in
Australian Detention Centres for years.
Launceston does not want Mohib or his family to be incarcerated
ever again.
The Launceston Community rallied to ensure that
lawyer for the Sarwari Family , Marion Le had everything she needs to
argue her case before the Refugee Review Tribunal.
Community Gatherings were held
at the City Park playground to provide feedback opportunities
on the Campaign for Permanent Residency for the Sarwari Family.
While Marion was in Launceston a variety of forums were held
with refugeee advocates and the broader community.
The Minister for Immigration,Philip Ruddock
is coming to Launceston on Monday,May 19, plans are being made for
a mass community action at venues where he is meeting
It was wonderful to the see the energy of the Sarwari Children
at the Sarwari Family Picnic,just a pity that we could not have it at the playground
because of inclement weather.
If the legal case is lost,this maybe the last opportunity for the
Sarwari children to be able to play happily and freely.
It is hoped that the City of Launceston will support
the family's application for a Permanent Protection
Visa.The Launceston Community will continue it's lobbying
of the Federal Minister on behalf of the Sarwari Family and other
persons on TPVs,who have not yet received the same media profile.
It is hoped that the Minister for Immigration will return to Launceston to
answer questions from the Launceston Community on the
handling of this case and assure us that the mistakes made can never be
made again.
Scans of newspaper articles can be found in the MOHIB'S RETURN
album at: TFR LTON,see links at the top of this page.
Further Information
Terence Seymour
Campaign for Permanent Residency for the Sarwari Family
0409 414 562
