MELBOURNE - March 8th - Two gay men fleeing persecution in Iran have been sent to detention in Nauru, where they have been violently attacked for being together. Both were seeking asylum in Australia, but the Australian Government's punitive refugee policies have left them languishing on a tiny island where being gay is a crime. Afraid to leave their house for fear of further attacks, the couple have become virtual prisoners. Now 17 thousand people from around the world are calling on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to grant them asylum in Australia and halt the country's cruel detention system.
"I was told in Australia you could be free to be who you were, you could be openly gay and it would be safe," said Nima*, one of the men who fled Iran where he risked public execution for being gay. He arrived in Australia in August 2013 to seek asylum. He told Australian authorities he is gay, but despite being aware of the risks, Australian authorities sent him to a detention centre on Nauru.
Once in Nauru, Nima met Ashkan* who had also fled Iran, and the two began a relationship and started living together. "People from Immigration and Connect Settlement Services all tell us that we mustn't hold hands or be affectionate in public," said Nima.
Both Ashkan and Nima's asylum claims were finally processed on Nauru and they were found to be refugees and released to live on Nauru — an island which is only 21 square kilometres. However, after a number of physical attacks the couple are afraid to leave their unit, and only go out once a week to buy groceries with an escort.
"Whilst we were still going outside, we got beaten up and were attacked. Spat at, verbally abused, had stones thrown at us and hit with sticks. It's been a horrible experience," said Nima.
Having already made requests to the Australian Government to move the men, the Human Rights Law Centre is now partnering with international Lesbian Gay Bi and Trans ( LGBT ) rights group All Out to launch a petition appealing to Australia's Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, to let the refugee couple settle in Australia.
HRLC's Director of Advocacy and Litigation, Anna Brown, said under Nauruan law Ashkan and Nima risk being punished with 14 years of hard labour if they are found to have "carnal knowledge" of another man which the law states is "against the order of nature."
"This situation and similar ones on Manus are just so wrong on so many levels. The Australian Government knowingly and deliberately allows gay men to be warehoused on tiny islands where they face assaults, prejudice and extremely harsh criminal penalties," said Ms Brown.
"No one should have to suffer just for being in love," said Matt Beard, Executive Director of All Out, a 2 million-member global movement fighting for LGBT rights. "Nima and Ashkan's story is another example of how cruel and inhumane Australia's detention system is to those fleeing persecution. Prime Minister Turnbull has a responsibility to bring them to Australia where they'll be safe, and to reform his government's refugee policy to bring it into line with international standards."
"This couple just want a home where they can be safe together and rebuild their lives. They don't deserve to be living in limbo in a country where their love for one another is a crime, and their safety is threatened," said Ms Brown.
Ms Brown said the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, and the Immigration Minister, Peter Dutton, have the ability to bring the two men to Australia immediately.
"This has become unbearable and we are going mad. We can't see any future for ourselves here. We ask gay rights activists, human rights activists around the world and the Australian people to support us to get out of here. Please help, please help us," said Nima.
To join the campaign and for an updated signature count, visit: go.allout.org/en/a/australia-asylum/ .
