Lost in Limbo: Refugees Fighting for Permanent Protections

In 2023 the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) revealed that 117.3 million people have been forcibly displaced. Whether it be due to war, conflict, or persecution there are many who find themselves desperate for a new place to call home, but government hoops and regulations in Australia are leaving people lost in limbo — some for well over a decade.

In August, nationwide protests in the form of 24/7 vigils were held outside various Australian political offices, bringing attention to the long and gruelling path to permanency many refugees face when coming to Australia.

Mark Gillepse is the spokesperson for Refugee Action Collective Queensland and was at the forefront of the vigil held outside Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ office in Logan. He says the current pathway to permanency for people is flawed and unfair and that the government should make a much clearer path to permanency as people have suffered enough.

Australia’s “fast track” program has left many lost in limbo for over a decade (Image Credit: Salah Darwish)

Naz’ Story

Naz is an Iranian refugee who, at 28 fled Iran in 2010 as a single mother with three young kids in tow, hoping to form a new life for herself and her children. She was one of the many protestors down at the Logan vigil and says she joined the protest in solidarity as she understands what it feels like to have no voice.

“We were asking, begging for basic rights… It wasn’t until 2023 that I attained a permanent visa, so I know what it’s like to feel like you have no voice.”

Naz was one of many who fell victim to the “fast tracking” system, which was implemented by the then Abbot Government in 2014. What was advertised as a new and efficient way to provide people with a much clearer path to permanancy ended up leaving many people like Naz, lost in limbo.

Reflecting on the past decade Naz recalls feeling more like a number, or a box to check off rather than a person. She remembers the lack of understanding — both emotional and literal. According to Naz every interview she had was over nine hours and she was given the “worst” translator who was not competent in Farsi and at times had to stop the interview and use online translating software to understand what she had to say.

“How can you defend someone strongly, all the feelings she is trying to convey when you don’t even understand the language.”

In 2012, Naz and her family were moved from Christmas Island to a community detention centre in Brisbane, where she says had no rights to work or recieve a tertiary education, and her children could only receive a highschool diploma. Naz says her eldest son faced severe bullying, but immigration wouldn’t let them change schools .

“They [Immigration Officers] said if we were not happy here we should go back to where we came from.”

Naz, now 42 lives in Logan with her three children. It wouldn’t be until 2023 — thirteen years after seeking asylum, that Naz and her two youngest children would obtain permanent protections through a permanent visa. However, Naz’ eldest son (24) still finds himself in limbo leaving him with uncertain job stability, unable to travel freely or even the ability to attain a tertiary education. She says that due to processing her life and the little hope she once had at 28 has been destroyed.

“I was 28 when I left Iran. When I came here I dreamed of becoming a nurse, but that hope, and those dreams have been destroyed due to the processing system.”

“We feel more like numbers than people” — One of the refugees at the 24/7 vigil in Logan (Image Credit: PJ Griffin)

The Story You’ve Probably Heard Before, But Different

What is the first thing that comes to mind when the word refugee is said? well, depending on your algorithm, chances are it could be very different to the person sitting next to you. The media plays a vital role in keeping people accountable and remaining impartial. But what happens when these media organisations don’t remain impartial and instead rely on outdated stereotypes or clickbait headlines for the sake of a story?

Lauren Bartholomew is a journalist for 4ZZZ, a community radio station in Brisbane, Australia and has been following the 24/7 nationwide vigils as well as the role the media plays in forming the public’s attitudes around refugees.

Lauren Bartholomew is a Journalist for 4ZZZ and for the last three months has been following the national protests calling for changes to the fast track program as well as exploring the role the Australian media plays in forming the publics attitudes surrounding refugees. (Image Credit: Jaya Lichy)

She argues that the public tends to adopt the attitudes of their chosen political party or the government of the day, leading to stereotypes such as “murderers, terrorists, or queue jumpers” to become part of the mainstream narrative. She says that media outlets are a big reinforcer of these stereotypes, stripping refugees of their humanity.

“From what I’ve heard from the refugees I’ve spoken to; these stereotypes create a very hostile environment for people who are just trying to find a better life for themselves and their families.”

When asked what the media needs to do to change this outlook, Lauren says that the media should revert to their role as political watchdogs. They should actively fact check any degrading stereotypes carried through either quotes or sources used. She also argues that there should be a revision on regulatory bodies that prevent journalists from accessing valuable information about detention centres, as for too long journalists and the public have been left in the dark with what happens behind closed doors.

“The truth should be made bare, and more stories should be published so there is greater awareness over their [refugees] experience.”

Is There Hope?

On the 20th of September, 2024 Magistrate Mckenzie refused to permit a further two-week extension for those taking part in the 24/7 vigil outside Jim Chalmers office and thus the vigil was disbanded. But hope has not been lost.

Naz says that whilst they are no longer able to gather this has been a conversation starter and she hopes that with further conversation and education the mainstream attitudes surrounding refugees will start to change and the fast track system will be a thing of the past.