Q & A with former refugee turned advocate Ismail Hussani

Ismail Hussani, a former refugee from Afghanistan who fled to Australia alone on an boat at the age of 17. He is currently a journalism student at the University of Canberra, advocating for the rights of asylum seekers. He was also the speaker for the Palm Sunday Rally for Refugees on 29/03/2015.

Q: Can you tell me about your experience as a refugee?

A: I came by boat on 30^th of May 2011 at 22:11. I was picked up by border patrol guards. I was transferred to Christmas Island detention centre, then I stayed at Darwin detention centre and the Mainland Community detention centre in Canberra for six months and  Since then, I have been living in Canberra.

Q: What caused you to flee your country?

A: I belong to an ethnic group called Hazara. The Hazara people are persecuted in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran. They are persecuted in the form of genocide and sectarianism. Due to the 1998 regime of Taliban, the Hazara people had no option left but to leave their ancestral land or convert to Shia or Sunni Islam. Most of them fled to Pakistan and I was among them. Things were okay for a while. However, after the September 11 attack, a lot of insurgents and extremists hid in Pakistan and they took over and gained power. They committed crimes against the Hazara people. Now the Hazara people have to escape from Pakistan to other countries such as Australia.

Q: What do you think of the Australian government’s policy toward asylum seekers?

A: Australia is the only country that has mandatory detention for asylum seekers in the developed world. The current offshore processing policy is very hostile to asylum seekers. We have various reports of women and children asylum seekers being abused in offshore detention centres both in Nauru and Papua New Guinea. They are also exposed to discrimination, physical abuse and medical issues.

Q: What happens in detention centres? What do refugees experience there?

A: Asylum seekers are cut off from the outside world when they are detained in the centres indefinitely. They don’t know how long they will be there. It depends on their circumstances. If they are lucky, their case will be processed quickly.

Q: What common difficulties do asylum seekers face on a regular basis?

A: Asylum seekers are worried about their case, whether they will be recognised as refugees. They also encounter language barriers in their daily life. They are also having difficulties receiving education unless they become permanent residents.

Q: How long have you been fighting for the rights of asylum seekers?

A: Since I have been living in Canberra. I am working to raise the awareness amongst the youth. We have recently established our UC Refugee Action Committee. Our contingent have also participated in the Palm Sunday rally along with the students from the Australian National University. I have also come to known that most people, especially young people, in the ACT support asylum seekers’ and refugees’ rights.

Q: Do you think the government is doing enough for refugees and asylum seekers?

A: A lot of people are still not familiar with the hardships asylum seekers and refugees endure. If we continue our advocacy campaigns, hopefully more people will come to understand asylum seekers and refugees better.

Q: What do you plan to do after graduation?

A: I will pursue the path of fighting for human rights. Asylum seekers and refugees should have their rights respected, not to be called queue jumpers or discriminated against.

Q: What do you expect to change in the government’s policy toward asylum seekers and refugees?

A: I expect the closure of offshore detention centres and the transfer of asylum seekers to the mainland. There shouldn’t be any deportation rule. These are the policies the asylum seekers and refugees are demanding.