My friend, Ali * has been held in immigration detention for EIGHT years.  While that is soul-destroying in itself, what has also worn him down is the constant battle to hide his true identity, just to survive. Ali is LGBTIQ, and because of this, he feels just as unsafe in detention as he was in his country of origin.  That’s why I am pleading for him to be released.

To come out as someone who is LGBTIQ in a place like immigration detention comes with the risk of assault, harassment, or worse.  LGBTIQ people are often shunned in detention, and live in fear of being outed to their families, friends and communities.  

Here is Ali's story, in his own words:

I was born in the Middle East. My father died when I was young. My family became friends with the “Reza” family. We met playing street soccer. As a young adult, I began to realise that I was attracted to “Sayed Reza”. He was attracted to
me as well.

He was beautiful – inside and out. We started spending time together, but it had to be a secret because being gay is a criminal offence where I’m from. We would meet in abandoned buildings at night, where we could talk, hold hands, kiss and be intimate.

We were together for about two years. I loved him, but we were scared every day. One day we were found together. We were terrified - Sayed went back to his house, and I started walking home.

I never made it. Sayed’s male relatives attacked me. tried to fight back, but there were five against one. I ended up on the ground. I was stabbed with a knife in the back.

The knife attack damaged my kidneys, and I had surgery as a result. I could have died. I think that’s what they wanted.

After I was released from hospital, I hid at home. But the men who attacked me realised I was still alive. They got a militia involved, and my family started to receive threats.

I hid at a relative’s house, who helped me leave my home country. It was the only way I could survive. Eventually, after many years of hiding in other countries, I escaped to Australia. I have never been home.

I thought I would be safe in Australia, and I had family here I could stay with. But I was locked up. That was eight years ago.

Last year, I sewed my lips together in desperation.

In Australia’s immigration prisons I cannot be free. I cannot be who I am. Now the Immigration Minister has refused to even look at my refugee claim as a gay man
fleeing life-threatening violence.

After that my case manager said “There is nothing for you here, do you want to go back home?” I said, “I can’t go home, I’ll be killed.”

“I want to live”.

After Ali came out to his family, they disowned him.  His sister, however, who is in the Australian community, has accepted Ali and will support him if released.  Inside detention, Ali has no support, apart from when I was with him and his stalwart legal representative.

To date, the Department of Home Affairs refuses to reopen Ali’s case. He sits in limbo, as he cannot be returned to his country of origin where he will face violence and persecution.  

Will you join our call to demand that Karen Andrews, Alex Hawke and the Department of Home Affairs grant Ali a visa to save him from the risks he faces every day on Australian soil?

Please, sign and share this petition and show Ali that he is not alone.

From Ali’s friend, Thomas (name also changed to protect identity)

#Freedom4Ali