Australian Quakers write to Minister for Immigration about concerns for Afghan nationals

Australia Yearly Meeting Presiding Clerk, Ann Zubrick, has written to Minister for Immigration, Alex Hawke, expressing concern about Australia's response to the crisis in Afghanistan and the need for Australia to provide safe refuge for Afghan nationals.

"Like many Australians, we are increasingly alarmed at the potential harm or death that may come to those Australian citizens and Afghan nationals who worked with Australian personnel and are now stranded in Afghanistan.

We are concerned that the Government, at this stage, is only offering 3,000 visas to Afghanis seeking safe haven in Australia. We strongly encourage the Government to expand the Humanitarian Visa program, similar to the Abbott Government’s 2015 decision to permanently resettle 12,000 Syrian and Iraqi refugees in Australia.

We are keen to know how the Government might roll out the expanded program, what timeline is being considered and what would be the role for civil society groups in Australia-based resettlement programs?"

Read the full letter here.

Read these statements made by Friends around the world:

• British Quakers urge UK government to recognise responsibility for Afghan refugees
• Friends Committee on National Legislation (USA): Holding Afghanistan in the Light
• American Friends Service Committee: The U.S. must invest in diplomacy in Afghanistan and grant asylum for those fleeing