 CAAH SYDNEY MEDIA RELEASE [FOR IMMEDIATE RELREASE] 3rd September 2007 |
CAAH SYDNEY MEDIA RELEASE [FOR IMMEDIATE RELREASE] 3rd September 2007 |
QUEER ACTIVIST WINS LANDMARK CASE AGAINST REFUGEE REVIEW TRIBUNALMotahar Hussein, a queer Bangladeshi man locked up in Villawood Detention Centre for two and a half years was finally accepted as a refugee by the Refugee Review Tribunal (RRT) for the purposes of the UN Convention. Hussein's claim for protection was rejected twice by the RRT. However Federal Court ordered the case to be reheard over the denial of natural justice by the Tribunal.Hussein's third RRT hearing on Friday 31st finally admitted if Motahar went back to Bangladesh he would 'experience trouble'. This signaled the Immigration Department granting Hussein permanent residency. Keeping Motahar Hussein locked up for two and a half years, fighting against his legal challenges has cost the Howard government an estimated half a million dollars. If sent home Hussein would have suffered persecution. Bangladesh is a predominantly Muslim country with a homophobic law on the penal code - Section 377 which makes 'intercourse against the order of nature' - a crime. Early within his detention, Motahar Hussein led a successful hunger strike inside Villawood Detention Centre demanding copies of the Migration Act for detainees. He led successful action against Global Solutions Ltd and Delware North Limited who were using detainees for slave labour. When Motahar Hussein was released on a Bridging E Visa in early 2007 he became active in Community Action Against Homophobia's (CAAH) campaign for marriage rights, civil unions and adoption rights. He was elected as CAAH's refugee officer and led a successful campaign against the ban of gay publications SX and SSO within Villawood. Motahar was also involved in climate action campaigning. Rachel Evans, CAAH Secretary said "Howard and previous ALP Federal governments have tortured people like Motahar through their policy of mandatory detention. The Refugee Review Tribunal has been refusing many queers and sending people back to danger and in some cases, death. They are an arm of the government's inhumane detention policy. Motahar's recent victory over the RRT and his victories against slave labor policy within detention show if we fight - we win. CAAH thanks to all those in the queer and activist community who helped with free Motahar Hussein and those who helped win his permanent visa status. We hope this victory will flow onto the campaign to Free Ali Humayun and end discrimination against all asylum seekers."
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