Help Human Rights Journalist Escape the Taliban

Product Description

Australia

We are raising funds to bring a young human rights defender & journalist called Hasan (who is currently in hiding in Pakistan) safely to Australia on a Skilled Migrant Visa.

Hasan is in grave danger. He has evaded two deportations back to Afghanistan and is currently facing the imminent threat of capture and death at the hands of the Taliban. Every hour is crucial.

We urgently need to raise enough funds to pay for a Skilled Migrant Visa to protect Hasan & to bring him safely to Australia.

Since the rise of the Taliban in 2021, Hasan has been personally targeted by specific members of the Taliban with direct death threats. He is known to them for his high profile human rights activism – specifically in terms of advocating for the rights of Afghani women and girls. He is constantly being tracked by the Taliban who not only threaten Hasan with death, but they threaten his family as well.

In early 2022, Hasan managed to escape to Pakistan on a temporary visa. Although myself and my team tried to get another visa lined up before it expired, we were unsuccessful, and after a little while spent in hiding, he was deported back to Afghanistan. Miraculously, Hasan managed to escape this deporatation but it is only a matter of time until he is tracked down again.

Currently, Pakistan is not new renewing visas for Afghanis, which leaves Hasan and thousands of other Afghanis in a very difficult sitaiton.

We urgently need to get Hasan to Australia. We have been waiting for the past 3 years for a Humanitarian Class XB Visa, however with no word on the progress of this applicaiton (despite all our efforts) we are now applying for a Skilled Migrant Visa. Hasan’s lawyer in Australia beleives that if we can raise the money, we can get this visa within 4 months.

I have been part of another team who recently brought an Afghani family to Australia on this visa so we have a very clear idea how we can successfully make this work.

Based on our expereince, a rough estimate of how the funds will be spent are as follows:

Total Estimated cost is $39,300

In addition to this cost, we are also paying for Hasan’s accomodation and food in Pakistan as it is not possible for him to work. So in total (this also includes our support for Hasan over 3 years) we are aiming our campagin at $45,000.

I was connected with Hasan through a friend of mine who works tirelessly to help refugees, and Hasan was one of those refugees she was helping. However, with the birth of her 2nd child, it was all too much so I stepped in. After being introduced to Hasan, I realised what a gentle, kind and incredibly brave young man Hasan was, and seeing as he has spent his life helping others, it was only right that others helped him.

I have since found a team of incredble hearts who are working together to help save Hasan and we are doing absolutely everything we can. He is one of the kindest, most generous and selfless people I have ever known and the thought of his fate utterly terrifies me. I hope so much that you are able to help us help Hasan. Each donation will go a very long way.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,

Hassan’s support team (Chloé, Chris, Susie, Lisa, Kamellah & Donna) xx

There will be a zoom screening of the refugee friendly movie “A Nun’s New Habit” at 3 PM Adelaide time (3.30 PM In the eastern states), on Sunday 17 August. This was postponed from 10 August. Tickets are $20 for an adult, $10 for children and $50 for a family. To purchase go to https://events.humanitix.com/a-nun-s-new-habit-story-of-sister-carmel-wauchope-4th-screening , A Nun’s New Habit tells the story of Sister Carmel Wauchope and her work at Baxter Immigration Centre, near Port Augusta, South Australia, before this centre closed. Through her eyes, and the eyes of the men detained there,we see the harsh relaties of Australia’s refugee policies. This will be followed by a Q & A with refugees from around the world. By coming, you can help us raise more funds for Hassan and get a deeper understanding of the refugee problem

Hello all As you know, Hassan has been offered a job in aged care. Its looking positive that we can get him a skilled visa under the refugee skilled visa piot programme. To raise more funds – we need quite a bit – we are running a movie session tomorrow. This will be streamed across zoom. The movie we will be watching is called “A Nun’s New Habit”. It is about Baxter Immigration Detnetion Centre in South Australia and more information is aviailable on the event page. It is at 3 PM Adelaide time, tomorrow 10 August. Please go to https://events.humanitix.com/a-nun-s-new-habit-story-of-sister-carmel-wauchope-4th-screening to purchase tickets. An adult ticket is $20 and once your order is confirmed I will send out the zoom link over which it will be stremaed. We look forward to seeing you there. Any questions you can call Chris on 0459 573 941.

Hi all To raise extra funds for Hassan and refugees, we are having an online movie session, this Sunday, 13 Jul at 3 PM Adelaide time. This is 3.30 in the Eastern states. The movie we will be showing is “A Nun’s New Habit”. Tickets will be $20 for adults, $10 for children and $50 for families of 2 adults and 2 or more children. Please go to https://events.humanitix.com/a-nun-s-new-habit-story-of-sister-carmel-wauchope-3rd-screening to purchase tickets. All are welcome so please share widely. I am hoping we can raise $2000 at least through this endevour. Warm regards Chris

Chris Schmidt