Australia’s High Court has rejected a high-profile plea from an Iranian asylum seeker seeking release from immigration detention due to concerns about indefinite detention.
Since 2018, the man has been fighting against deportation from Australia, citing risks related to his sexual orientation and religious beliefs.
Referred to as ASF17, he initiated legal action following a previous ruling that resulted in the release of numerous individuals from immigration detention centers.
However, the High Court’s recent unanimous decision highlighted ASF17’s refusal to cooperate in his deportation process as the reason for his continued detention.
According to the judges, “ASF17 could be returned to Iran if he participated in obtaining the necessary travel documents from Iranian authorities, but he has chosen not to cooperate.”
The Australian government’s assessment deemed him not in need of protection, further solidifying the court’s ruling.
The outcome of this case was closely monitored by refugee advocacy groups and government officials, with potential implications for the release of other detainees.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, emphasizing the government’s commitment to upholding immigration policies.
He stated, “Today’s unanimous ruling reaffirms that individuals who do not cooperate with their removal can be held in immigration detention until they are deported from Australia.”
Article from www.aljazeera.com