Sunday July 17, 2016
Kabul (BNA) In the wake of economic political instability in Australia and waves of criticizes from the ruling party, the Australian people are expected to attend polling stations.
The Kabul Times correspondent had an exclusive interview with the advisor of the MoRR on the destiny of Afghan refugees beyond the election, the expectation of the Afghan government from the new Australian leadership, and impacts of the elections on migration process. Touching the elections and its impacts on migrants particularly the Afghan refugees, the advisor of the MoRR Meyakhyl said first we should wait the results of the elections and we expect the new leaders of Australia to take into account all international treaties and international rights on refugees particularly Afghans and approach them accordingly. He added, unfortunately in recent years migration of Afghans has been one of the serious problems despite of the efforts of the Afghan government for their repatriation but still, after Syria and Iraq, Afghanistan stands on the third row.
He went on to say, we had recently has a tripartite meeting with Australian authorities and the UNHCR on the Afghan refugees problems and challenges who are accommodated in camps. Our interlocutors promised to cooperate us. He said, unfortunately the documents of a number of Afghan refugees have not been completed. All their evident should be assessed and then decided. We had signed two agreements in 2002 aids 2005 with them on this issue. The contents of the agreements include emphasize on volunteer save repatriation of the refugees, prohibition of refuges compulsory expulsion, those who have no supporter should remain there, those who have left their home villages and took refugee due to insecurity, those who have been affected by refractory diseases etc. At the same time, a number of experts and citizens expect that Australian election would remain positive impact on the Afghan refugees. Ali Rahmani a political commentator said efforts are underway by political parties to win the elections but in case of victory of none of these parties, a non-majority parliament will be established. He said despite of the popularity of the labor party, different reasons including last year’s kidnapping in Sydney, terror attacks in Brussels, Paris, and California by IS have forced Australian to vote to liberal Party and right wing conservatives to adopt restricted polices against refugees specially Muslims.
Ekram Andeshmand another political analyst has another opinion on this election, every winner leader should approach Afghan refugees according to international conventions, because wars, conflicts and insecurities and unemployment have forced them to migrate and leave their home villages. Therefore the hosting countries should have humanitarian approach with Afghans. Ordinary people claim that in recent years specially 2015large number of Afghan left their homeland and took refuge to European countries or Australia. Aziz Mostamand a deported refugees from the Greece border said I sold my assets and all properties hoped to reach a save country and lead a peaceful life with my family. Unfortunately I failed to reach my destination and after several months we were stopped on Greece borders I decided to return home. I expect the NUG to pave the way for volunteer repatriation of the Afghan refugees. Australia has regrettably closed its borders to refugees and their coast guards make violent approach with refugees. We hope after the election, the refugees’ situation would change.
Suraya Raiszada
