Morrison Government fails to act on Afghanistan despite calls from Senate report

Media Release
21 January 2022

A Senate inquiry has called on the Morrison Government to take important steps to meet Australia’s moral obligations to the people of Afghanistan, but the Government’s immediate response has fallen woefully short, providing no additional increase in humanitarian intake. 

Today the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade  References’ Inquiry into Australia’s engagement in Afghanistan has issued its interim report today. A final report is expected in early February 2022. 

Action for Afghanistan welcomes the Committee's direct responses in the interim report to the campaign’s asks, which stand in stark contrast to the inaction of the Morrison Government. 

The report recommended the prioritisation of family reunification and providing pathways to permanent residency for all people from Afghanistan in Australia seeking protection. The report also noted calls for an additional 20,000 humanitarian places for people from Afghanistan, however did not support a specific increase.

Such recommendations are overwhelmingly positive, despite equivocation on the 20,000 increase, and show the Committee has heard the calls from the community. 

However, Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke’s immediate response to this report was abysmal, providing no additional humanitarian places for people from Afghanistan. 

Hawke’s response today also made no mention of pathways to permanency for people in Australia or reviewing the policy prohibiting hundreds of people from Afghanistan in Indonesia.

Arif Hussein, Human Rights Lawyer, Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS) said: “The war in Afghanistan was the longest war in our history. In that time, we made significant promises to the people of Afghanistan that included protection of persecuted groups, and women.”

“The announcement by Minister  Hawke today does not begin to recognise our relationship with the war, our moral obligation to the people of Afghanistan, and the escalating humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan right now.”

Zaki Haidari, Leadership Coordinator at Jesuit Refugee Services said: “As a refugee from Afghanistan on a temporary protection visa I welcome the  recommendations of the Senate inquiry's interim report urging the Australian government to provide a pathway to permanent protection for thousands  refugees from Afghanistan currently living in Australia.”

“We are fast running out of time to save our wifes, children and loved ones. They are in great danger under the Taliban regime.”
“This interim report is clear in its recommendation to provide a pathway to  permanent protection for us so that we can start our lives peacefully in Australia and reunite with our families.”

“It's time for the Australian government to listen and act.”

Barat Ali Batoor, Hazara-Australian, photographer, organiser at Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) and filmmaker said: “The statement from the Minister of Immigration is insulting. He has promised no additional humanitarian visas when the calls on his Government are clear, at least 20,000 additional humanitarian places.”

“Over recent months Afghanistan has seen women activists and vulnerable groups such as the Hazara are targeted by the Taliban and terrorised. Lives are becoming increasingly difficult for a harsh winter forcing many to choose between warmth or food and a rapid deterioration in living conditions. Australia cannot sit by and do nothing following the longest war in the country’s history.”

Shabnam Safa, Chair at the National Refugee-led Advisory and Advocacy Group (NRAAG) said: “Refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia have endured enough. The committee’s recognition of this is welcome. It’s about time our policies change to put an end to indefinite limbo for temporary protection visa holders and reunite families so people can get on with their lives.”

“The war in Afghanistan has been our longest international intervention and we are yet to see that commitment being honoured by the Australian government. Ever since the fall of Kabul in August 2021 the Afghanistan-Australian community has called for an additional intake of at least 20,000 humanitarian places and we have not seen any concrete action from the government yet. The situation in Afghanistan is only getting worse, not better. It’s the least Australia can do in comparison to its counterparts.”

--ENDS–
 Read the report in full here
 Media Contact: Sam Brennan, sam.b4@asrc.org.au or 0428 973 324