Each Friday our principal solicitor Carolyn Graydon shares with the entire ASRC team a “weekly good news” update from the Human Rights Law Program.
This week has been a particularly hard one as we saw the Senate vote to repeal the life-saving Medevac legislation. At a time when our Government yet again showed utter contempt and disregard for the rights and lives of people seeking asylum, Carolyn’s email provides hope and reminds us that when our community of compassion comes together, eventually justice prevails.
Hi everyone,
Yes, it’s that time of the week again….good news time from the Human Rights Law Program.
With the disheartening news out of Canberra this week I’m proud to share with you all some wins we had despite the actions of our cruel and vindictive Government.
We had a particularly sweet success this week with a positive outcome for a very young child. This win has avoided a potentially horrible situation where all other members of her family had been granted visas, but where she faced missing out as she had to lodge a separate application, carrying the risk that she might have got a different decision.
We also made an application for a Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) for a particularly vulnerable Afghan Hazara client. Through the methodical care and detailed work of his lawyer, the visa was granted by the Department….another person with a chance for at least 5 years of protection and security in Australia.
Through the skilled work of our team, another permanent protection visa was granted to a Nepalese woman fearing family violence in Nepal based on complementary protection grounds. Another really tough case, hard-fought and won based on the skills of the lawyer.
We also had a win at the IAA, so rare these days, involving a female client. Again, these cases are so difficult to win. The lawyer’s skilful submission framing the cumulative claims of the client was enough to get her over the line. A heartfelt thank you and congratulations to the lawyer who really dug deep on this case and whose extra efforts and dedication paid off for our client.
We also had a young man awaiting his Federal Court judgment finally granted a bridging visa, restoring full work rights, Medicare and limited study rights. One less person in total legal abyss…..
Thanks everyone for your support of our team, this has been a particularly difficult week for so many, but we are more determined than ever to keep fighting the good fight and holding our Government to account.
Your donations to our End of Year Appeal make these success stories possible.
For many people seeking asylum the ASRC is the only place they can receive legal advice to help them navigate the tortuous asylum process as well as receive humanitarian support during their refugee determination process.
By donating to the ASRC you put a lawyer on people’s side and give them a fighting chance to live safely here. Now, more than ever, people seeking asylum in Australia need the support of lawyers to uphold their rights and fight for justice.
Donate now to the ASRC End of Year Appeal to help us fund the important work of our Human Rights Law Program for 2020.
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As you may be aware, there are changes occurring at the ASRC.
To plan for these changes to make the ASRC sustainable into the future:
The Footscray centre will close to all visitors every Wednesday.
Every Friday, some services will be closed but the Foodbank, Health, Legal and Hub services will remain open.
To access our services, you can phone 03 9326 6066 or come to the ASRC Footscray in person during opening hours.
The Reception Team will greet you and link you with our services.
As you may be aware, there are changes occurring at the ASRC.
To plan for these changes to make the ASRC sustainable into the future:
The Footscray centre will close to all visitors every Wednesday.
Every Friday, some services will be closed but the Foodbank, Health, Legal and Hub services will remain open.
To access our services, you can phone 03 9326 6066 or come to the ASRC Footscray in person during opening hours. The Reception Team will greet you and link you with our services.
The Government has announced it will provide pathways for TPV/SHEV holders and TPV/SHEV applicants to
be assessed for RoS visas. RoS visas are permanent visas that allow holders to live, work and study in Australia,
access government services such as Medicare and Centrelink, and sponsor eligible family members for
permanent residence.
Click here for Permanent Visa Pathways for TPV/SHEV Holders & Applicants Fact Sheet
The Fact Sheet is also available in: Dari – Urdu – Arabic – Tamil
Thanks for your interest in supporting the ASRC Telethon on World Refugee Day, Monday 20th June.
Complete this form with your details and we will send you an email reminder before the event as well as alerts throughout the day when key activities happen.
Please note: all requests submitted to the Marketing Services Model will not be worked on until 1 July 2022 to allow the team space to focus on projects such as the Winter Appeal and Telethon.
You are welcome to submit requests and we’d love to support – we ask that you please supply a reasonable due date, keeping in mind we will not tend to the request until July. Thank you!
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners across Australia and pay respect to their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. We acknowledge sovereignty of the lands upon which we work and live have never been ceded.
The centre is OPEN again from Tuesday 11th – Friday 14th (10am – 5pm).
We will return to normal operating hours (10am – 5pm, Monday – Friday), from Monday 17th of January onwards.
The centre is OPEN again from Tuesday 11th – Friday 14th (10am – 5pm).
We will return to normal operating hours (10am – 5pm, Monday – Friday), from Monday 17th of January onwards.
If you applied for a TPV or SHEV visa between 2015 and 2017 and have not already attended a Protection visa interview with the Department, please contact the ASRC urgently for legal assistance. CALL: Fast track hotline 0422035324 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or email legal@asrc.org.au
The application interview is your only chance to explain your case to the Department. Update your contact details with the Department to receive your Interview Invitation (the ASRC can also help you do this).
Click here to learn more (Info sheet Fast Track interviews).
Click here to read info sheet in other languages.
“I can’t erase racism by myself. It’s only if we all come together to accept that there is an issue and work together that we can make a change.”
Prudence Melom, founder and CEO of E-RACED
“Growing in a refugee camp and experiencing hardship from a young age I felt very misunderstood among my peers in Australia. Kids my age did not understand why my skin was darker, they didn’t understand why my accent was a little different and they didn’t understand why I came to Australia.
“I was inspired to start E-RACED after experiencing first hand the effects of racism in this country and the power of sharing my story to completely change people’s attitudes. Never underestimate the power of one-on-one interactions and sharing stories to change the world.”
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