You might have seen that The Guardian shared the story of Peter, the Afghan interpreter who assisted US-led forces but is now languishing in detention here in Australia. He risked his life when he assisted those soldiers.

Peter’s work was described in court documents as “an extraordinary service to NATO, and thus Australian forces, and at tremendous personal cost." Because of this, Peter can never return to Afghanistan to be with his young family. Will you sign the petition calling on Peter Dutton to let him stay in Australia?

From The Guardian:

An interpreter who assisted US-led forces in Afghanistan before fleeing Taliban reprisals faces indefinite detention in Australia’s immigration system unless the home affairs minister, Peter Dutton, grants him a visa.

Father of five Peter – whose real name cannot be disclosed for fear of endangering his family – is in an onshore immigration detention centre and has been separated from his family for seven years.

Peter “provided support services to the allied forces in Afghanistan as a translator”... Any connection to or perceived sympathy for the west is viewed with deep suspicion by the Taliban, and Peter was repeatedly threatened with torture and death because of the work he was doing.

Click here to sign the petition, "Demand freedom for an Afghani interpreter who assisted the Allies"

While his claim was assessed, Peter was allowed to live in the community on a bridging visa, but without the right to work.

Unable to earn money to support himself or to send home to his family, and suffering significant anxiety about his and his family’s wellbeing, he committed a robbery in 2015, holding up a taxi driver with a butter knife. The driver was not injured.

[Peter's] conviction meant he failed the department’s “character test” and was therefore refused a visa and remained in detention.

Peter’s lawyer Alison Battisson, the director principal of Human Rights for All, said his crime had been “an isolated incident and a cry for help, when he didn’t know where else to turn”.

“He had been dependent on charity for years. He could not send money back to his family in Afghanistan, who remained threatened by the Taliban. Releasing people into the community without work rights is a cruel practice that pushes vulnerable people to the edge. It is not a long-term solution.

“I represent a number of refugees who have had mental health episodes and are locked away indefinitely as a result in immigration detention. These episodes are used against them again and again, despite measurable improvements in their mental health in a very difficult environment.”

Peter was there for Allied soldiers, despite knowing it would mark him for death by the Taliban. Now, he needs Australia to show him some kindness, not torture or torment.

Click here to sign the petition calling for Peter to be removed from indefinite detention.

Alison Battisson
Director Principal, Human Rights For All