The PM responds to Monash University's plea to help Afghan people

BY KARUNA BALASUBRAMANIAN

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has responded to an open letter penned by Monash University’s Gender, Peace and Security Centre (GPS) calling for the protection of fleeing Afghan citizens. 

The letter, which received more than 5000 signatures and overwhelming support from university staff and students, called on Mr Morrison, as well as Ministers Alex Hawke, Marise Payne, and Peter Dutton to provide asylum to Afghan citizens whose lives are at risk.

It is also urging the government to act immediately in standing up for international human rights, and granting permanent residency status for Afghans currently in Australia to ensure their security.

Mr Morrison said the government’s priority has been “ensuring the safe and orderly departure of Australian citizens, permanent residents and visa holders, including former locally-engaged Afghan employees and their families”.

He also assured that Afghan temporary visa holders currently in Australia will not be asked to return and will be supported by the government while the situation remains dire.

Monash GPS Director Professor Jacqui True said the open letter was drafted to support their colleagues in Afghanistan after the Taliban's takeover.

“We began to write the letter when I received messages from my colleagues in Afghanistan on how dire the situation was in Kabul,” Ms True said.

Ms True said priority must be given to people who have been supporters and defenders of human rights in the public realm.

“We want emergency evacuation, especially for those activists who have been public about their support for human rights and democracy - both of which are opposed by the Taliban,” she said.

Monash GPS also took down all information pertaining to their Afghan colleagues and students from their website in fear of their safety.

Ms True said the centre believed the students and youth leaders would potentially be under attack from the Taliban.

“Having to take it all down, it's like we ourselves are participating in a kind of silencing and a repression of them, but of course it's crucial to ensuring their safety and security at this time,” Ms True said.

Monash GPS’s plea echoes those of other Australian refugee advocacy groups who have started similar petitions.

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Schools and University Organiser Jenna Williams-Gray said the Australian Afghan community was consulted when the petitions were written to determine their urgent needs.

“The main request is that the government should increase refugee intake to 20,000 and also prioritise those who are persecuted,” Ms Williams-Gray said.

Ms Williams-Gray said pathways to refugee family reunions in Australia have been difficult and needs to be given precedence. 

“People who are already here from Afghanistan need to be able to bring their families here safely,” she said.

“The government’s actions have been inadequate and they need to provide beyond what they have promised.” 

The petition by Monash GPS is still open and is accepting signatures.