The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) welcomes the decision to grant humanitarian visas to five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team currently in Australia.
This decision recognises the serious safety concerns the players could face if they were required to return to Iran.
When people who are already in Australia fear persecution or harm if they return to their home country, they have the right to seek protection and have their claims carefully assessed.
RCOA Co-CEO Paul Power said, “Granting protection to these players acknowledges the very real risks they could face if they were forced to return home. Australia’s protection system exists for exactly these kinds of situations, to ensure that people who face serious harm if returned to their country have the opportunity to seek safety and have their claims properly considered.”
