Iranian asylum seeker Mojgan Shamsalipoor was released from immigration detention into the arms of her loving husband today after finally being granted a bridging visa.
The former Brisbane high school student spent two years in detention facilities in Darwin and Brisbane while her husband Milad Jafari, who is an Australian resident, fought hard for her freedom.
He worked tirelessly with the Yeronga State High School community to organise several protests and an online campaign under the hashtag #FreeMojgan.
Shamsalipoor, 22, fled Iran in 2012, fearing potential imprisonment and physical threats after she refused an arranged marriage to a 60-year-old man.
Both she and her brother were freed with three-month temporary visas this morning.
“She just wants to say thank you to all her supporters for getting her through all the really dark times,” deputy principal of the school Jess Walker told the Brisbane Times.
“We are absolutely elated, it could not be a better day,” she said.
“It just feels like it could be a dream because we’ve dreamed of her being free for so long.”
A spokesperson for immigration minister Peter Dutton said in a statement several “illegal maritime arrivals” had been released today.
“This is in line with the Government’s decision to reduce the number of people in detention,” the statement said.
“These people have been granted temporary bridging visas. All have been found not to be owed protection by Australia.
“They are not refugees and are expected to return to their countries of origin. They will not have access to permanent stay visas.”
Unfortunately, Lawyer Kevin Kadirgamar said there is still no guarantee Mojgan will be able to stay in Australia.
“The bridging visa continues to place a shadow of uncertainty over her future in that the Minister has not gone as far as allowing her the opportunity to reside in Australian permanently with her husband,” he told the ABC.
Top Comments
Oh I remember seeing her story on Australian Story, I am so happy for her. Wonderful news!
My daughter was teaching English to a refugee, who had to wait 10 years in a refugee camp overseas to get reunited with her sister in Melbourne.
In that time she lost her parents and her husband.
2 years doesn't seem so bad now, does it?
This happened during the time of our great influx of boat people.
I wonder if she would of got to Australia sooner if the boat people hadn't pushed their way in.
But.. but.. there's no queue is there?
That story is why I feel we should lift our refugee intake but only take from the camps.
Yes only two years to be locked up for doing nothing illegal...how fortunate is she? (Sarcasm)
That is a revolting opinion, and speaks highly as to the sort of person that you are. Of course being imprisoned for ten years is worse than being imprisoned for two, but that's like saying, 'Well that guy only had his hand chopped off, I had a whole leg chopped off! Hand doesn't sound so bad now does it?!'
Why is it a revolting opinion, why should people with money be given preference over those who don't and have to rot away in the refugee camps.
That poor woman lost nearly her whole family, is that okay with you?
That woman is one of thousands of faceless people who are forgotten by the so called progressives.
And what a disgusting analogy.