With the recent withdrawal of US troops, and the consequent emboldening of the Taliban, key cities and districts in Afghanistan have fallen to the Taliban. President Ashraf Ghani has fled the country, The Taliban have announced their entry into Kabul. Afghans are fearful for their lives.

To anyone who has managed to survive previous incursions and violence at the hands of the Taliban, this is not just a terrifying prospect, but a dystopian reality that many suffered under in the past 20 years of the Taliban’s brutal quest for power. The gains of the past 20 years are at stake, including democratic rights and freedoms.

More pressingly, there are lives at stake. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has acknowledged the volatility and danger of this steadily worsening situation but has not yet offered practical assistance. Given that the military drawdown from Afghanistan has created this opportunity for Taliban exploitation, and that governments worldwide are expressing a desire to assist through other means, some practical and humane solutions are offered below. The time to act is now. Sign this petition to put into motion the following: That the Australian Government should:

• Expedite bringing Afghan nationals who worked with the Australian mission in Afghanistan safely into Australia.

• Provide permanent visas to protection applicants already in Australia, particularly members of ethnic and religious minority groups.  

• Desist from sending Afghan asylum seekers and refugees back to danger, as per Australia’s non-refoulment obligations.

• Create a temporary compelling emergency visa to provide temporary protection to at-risk groups (e.g., journalists, human rights workers, and women civil society activists), until the situation in Afghanistan improves..

• Increase humanitarian intake for Afghan refugees, particularly targeted groups including journalists, human rights activists, members of religious and ethnic minority groups and the LGBTI community.