We are a peaceful family seeking freedom and safety. After fleeing Russia for our anti-war views, we face deportation, homelessness, and total abandonment.

My name is Vitalii Romasevich. I’m a husband and father, and I speak on behalf of my wife and son. We are a small family originally from Russia, now stranded and undocumented in the Philippines. We fled political persecution for opposing the war against Ukraine and for supporting freedom of speech and belief.

In Russia, I was harassed at work, labeled a traitor, and received death threats online. My family has Ukrainian and Polish roots, and we were targeted for our heritage and pro-democracy stance. We escaped in 2023 to protect our son from conscription and to avoid imprisonment.

We applied for asylum in the Philippines, but there is no functioning refugee protection or resettlement process here. UNHCR does not register refugees in this country. We live without legal status, income, or food, relying on the help of strangers.

In May 2024, we applied for Australia’s humanitarian visa (Subclass 203).   In July, they rejected our request — not because we are unsafe, but because the system prioritizes other cases. There is no way to appeal.

We are desperate. We have no visa, no country, and no protection. We fear forced return to Russia, where people like us face prison, torture, or worse, simply for a post or a belief. Even our family history makes us a target — my great-grandfather was convicted in 1937 for being part of a Polish resistance.

We ask the governments of Canada, New Zealand, the United States, or any country to consider our case. We also ask refugee support organizations, religious groups, and legal networks to help us get out. We are willing to comply with any legal process and share all documents.

Please sign and help spread the word. Even your signature might save three innocent lives.

Sincerely,
Vitalii Romasevich and family

 “We were recently informed that my social media profile (VK) has been permanently blocked on official request by the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office. This confirms that I am being actively targeted by Russian authorities.”