An Iranian woman currently pursuing postgraduate studies in Australia has expressed profound fears for her safety, stating she could face execution if compelled to return to Iran due to her involvement in anti-regime protests. With only weeks remaining on her student visa, she describes feeling trapped in a perilous situation, unable to go back to her homeland where security forces have cracked down brutally on dissent.
A Traumatic Past and Present Dangers
The student, who we will refer to as Atefeh to protect her identity, recalls a harrowing incident in 2022 when paramilitary forces in Iran fired bullets at her family home during the widespread Women, Life, Freedom protests. These demonstrations erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman detained for allegedly improper hijab wear, and have since led to a severe government response. "I couldn't breathe any more. I was losing my mind and I was traumatised," Atefeh recounts, explaining how the violence made her feel her country was in a "hostage situation."
Having participated in street protests in Tehran and later criticised the Islamic Republic on social media from Australia, Atefeh believes she is now a marked individual. The regime's suppression tactics have reportedly resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, amplifying her anxieties. "There's no way for me to go back right now. It's too dangerous for me," she asserts, highlighting the lethal risks faced by activists.
Visa Limitations and Age Restrictions
Atefeh's student visa is set to expire in mid-March, and due to recent changes in Australian immigration policy, she finds herself ineligible for a post-study graduate visa. These adjustments, effective from July, have reduced the maximum eligible age from 50 to 35, repositioning the visa as a tool for early-career professionals. At 37 years old, Atefeh falls outside this new criterion, leaving her with limited options to remain legally in Australia.
"We need some time to stay legally," she pleads. "All I want is a temporary visa." Her sleepless nights are filled with dread as she contemplates a forced return to Iran, where she fears persecution or even execution. "I'm so scared. I don't know what to do," she admits, feeling pressured by the ticking clock.
Broader Humanitarian Concerns
This case sheds light on broader issues within Australia's humanitarian response framework. While the country has offered assistance to refugees from conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan, experts criticise the approach as inconsistent and ad hoc. The Refugee Council of Australia has advocated for a more cohesive national emergency response, ensuring clear pathways for those fleeing crises where safe return is not viable.
Anna Talbot, a lecturer specialising in international law at the University of New South Wales' Kaldor Centre, suggests that a streamlined emergency humanitarian visa scheme could depoliticise such responses. "As soon as a humanitarian crisis is identified, you could have a framework in place ready to go so that those people could have access to the protection that they need," she explains, whether they are in Australia on temporary visas or applying from abroad.
Official Responses and Protection Obligations
A spokesperson from the Department of Home Affairs has stated that the situation in Iran is being closely monitored, with visa applications from Iranians in Australia under continuous assessment. The department emphasises that Australia does not return individuals to situations where they face persecution, torture, inhuman treatment, or the death penalty. Protection visas are granted only to those found to be refugees or meeting other protection obligations under Australian law.
Despite these assurances, Atefeh's predicament underscores the urgent need for more flexible and compassionate immigration policies. As geopolitical tensions simmer, with recent warnings from figures like Donald Trump about potential regional conflicts, the stakes for vulnerable individuals like her remain critically high.
Her story is a poignant reminder of the human cost of political unrest and the complex challenges faced by temporary visa holders caught between hope and fear.
