The Greens have called on Immigration Minister David Coleman to release two Saudi Arabian journalists who have sought asylum in Australia.
The two men fled Saudi Arabia in October claiming that they had been outed by the government who were cracking down on descenting media. Saudi Arabia has one of the worst records for LGBTI rights in the world, with people accused of same-sex relationships facing public whipping, torture and lifetime jail sentences or execution.
The two men arrived in Australia on a tourist visa, and told Australian officials upon their arrival that they were seeking asylum. They were immediately placed into detention.
The Greens spokesperson on sexuality and gender, Senator Janet Rice said the two men had no options but to flee the country.
“Being gay is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia,” Senator Rice said.
“It’s unconscionable that Australia is treating them like criminals when the supposed ‘crime’ was loving each other.
“These men were fleeing a country that would lock them up, in appalling conditions, for an indefinite period of time.
“[They arrived] in Australia to find even worse treatment here.
“When these journalists liken their treatment in Saudi to the violence they have experienced here in Australia, it should be a wake-up call to our government.”
The Department of Immigration has responded to concerns about the treatment the two men are receiving in Australia, saying they do not respond to inquiries about individual cases, but cases such as these are accessed by highly experienced officers.
LGBTI+ rights advocacy group just.equal recently launched a petition calling for the two men, whose names are not being released for security reasons, to be given asylum in Australia.
“Australia must be a safe refuge for people fleeing persecution, including anti-LGBTI hated and violence.” the group said.
“This must also include a fair, efficient and unbiased and respectful process for dealing with claims of asylum on the basis of sexuality or gender identity.
“It is unacceptable that LGBTI people escaping threats and detention overseas then suffer the same fate in Australia.”
Reporters without Borders have also publicly criticised the Morrison government for holding the two men in detention for almost two months. Despite writing to the Immigration Minister on November 6th,m they have received no response.
“The welcome that Australia has given these two Saudi journalists is absolutely disgraceful,” said Daniel Bastard, the head of RSF’s Asia-Pacific desk.
“They are very frightened of being sent back to Riyadh and we clearly do not want Canberra to be responsible for another ‘Jamal Khashoggi.’ So we urge home affairs minister Peter Dutton to ensure that they are given bridging visas so that they can be granted asylum.”
It is believed that 32 bloggers and journalists are currently detained in Saudi Arabia, the country is listed 172 out of 180 in terms of press freedom. Australia is ranked 21st in the world, but used to have a higher position on the chart.
OIP Staff
