For the last twenty years, successive Australian governments have brutalised people seeking asylum and prevented them from building a life in freedom and safety. Now the Albanese Government wants to banish people to Nauru, where they might be killed or face violence, for the rest of their lives – including our client, who is a 65-year-old refugee from Iraq.

That’s why we’ve supported our client to take his case to the United Nations’ Human Rights Committee. Within days, the UN urgently ordered Australia not to deport our client to Nauru while his complaint continues.  

Last year the Albanese Government rushed through brutal new powers to deport people from Australia to any country in the world. Our client, along with two other refugees, now face permanent exile to Nauru – a country he has no connection to. If sent to Nauru, he would be stranded there for the rest of his life, permanently separated from his family and living under the constant threat of being returned to Iraq, where he faces persecution.

Refugees previously sent to Nauru from Australia have been killed or suffered violence, medical neglect and discrimination.

The UN Committee’s orders highlight the grave consequences at stake in our client’s case. While the UN investigates his case, the Albanese Government must respect the Committee’s orders, and should halt all deportations to Nauru.

Fighting this deportation is not just about protecting the rights of our client. It is about holding the line and preventing the Albanese Government from establishing a new, punitive baseline for the treatment of all migrants and refugees.

We will keep fighting to ensure that every person has the right to dignity, safety and fair process, no matter their visa status.