Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

A refugee’s story

By Andrew Bartlett - posted Monday, 8 January 2007


Ali had already found a new job and Sakina was just starting school. I remember well him driving me down to look at the beautiful Hamilton Gardens. We walked around there for over an hour while his wife prepared lunch at home (like most Afghani families, they were keen to offer me a meal while I was visiting).

He talked about what they were hoping to do once they were fully settled and how hopeful he was that his brother Sajjed would also be able to join them soon from Nauru, as Sajjad had looked after Sakina during those two long years in detention on the isolated island, and she was missing him. It was good to hear confirmation shortly after I returned that Sajjed also received a refugee visa to New Zealand.

Advertisement

After more than four years of separation, having fled the Taliban, endured great danger, prolonged detention in Nauru (or seven months detention in Australian in Ali’s case) and the fear of being returned, finally the family were reunited with permanent residency in a safe and welcoming country.

As I wrote when I returned home, “the Sarwari family still have problems to deal with and difficulties to confront but they can now do so from a position of control over their lives and their options for the future. The others on Nauru deserve no less. They have suffered enough, it is time to let some joy back into their lives.”

Tonight I received a phone call with the news that Ali had been killed in a car crash near Auckland. The story is mentioned in this morning’s(January 18, 2006) Age newspaper.

Sometimes you just have to wonder about this world.

ADDENDUM:
This Obituary was published in the Sydney Morning Herald in February.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All

First published in The Bartlett Diaries on January 18, 2006. It is republished as part of "Best Blogs of 2006" a feature in collaboration with Club Troppo, and edited by Ken Parish, Nicholas Gruen et al.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

44 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Andrew Bartlett has been active in politics for over 20 years, including as a Queensland Senator from 1997-2008. He graduated from University of Queensland with a degree in social work and has been involved in a wide range of community organisations and issues, including human rights, housing, immigration, Indigneous affairs, environment, animal rights and multiculturalism. He is a member of National Forum. He blogs at Bartlett's Blog.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Andrew Bartlett

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Andrew Bartlett
Article Tools
Comment 44 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy