 CAAH SYDNEY MEDIA RELEASE [FOR IMMEDIATE RELREASE] 4th June 2007 |
CAAH SYDNEY MEDIA RELEASE [FOR IMMEDIATE RELREASE] 4th June 2007 |
'ALI HUMAYUN, OUT OF VILLAWOOD...FOR FOUR HOURS'One month of campaigning against the inhumane detention of queer Pakistani, Ali Humayun, has resulted in the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) granting Ali a four hour home visit. The visit took place on the 31st of May and Ali chose to spend time with his boyfriend - Julio Lorenzo's at Julio's family home.'It is clear Ali is homosexual, and will suffer persecution if he is forced to return to Pakistan ' said Rachel Evans, CAAH refugee rights campaigner. 'A same-sex couple in Pakistan has just been given three years jail and fined $200, for being in a same-sex relationship', noted Evans. 'We are demanding DIAC give Ali Australian citizenship immediately and release him into the community. Four hours out of detention is a start but we want him free NOW!' concluded Evans. Ali Humayun said 'It was good to get out of Villawood for four hours, I would like more home vists. At the moment they are only giving detaniees once per month. I would love to get out once per fortnight.You have no idea how good I felt as a result of the home detention. But only fours hours, sometimes detainees are able to get out for 6. These trips out of Villawood go a long way in terms of a detainees mental health. Ultimately, though I would love to be freed.' Ali Humayun will be speaking at CAAH's launch of the same-sex marriage campaign via phone hook up. CAAH is calling for people to continue to ring Ali and visit him at Villawood. Same-sex marriage launch will be at 6:30pm on the 20th of June. The forum will be held at ACON, Commonwealth Street , Surry Hills, Room 10, lower ground.
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