Open letter: ‘Our suffering is heavy in the coronavirus crisis’

This letter was sent to us by Tariq, a person seeking asylum who is supported by the Asylum Seekers Centre. As Tariq found work and became independent he also became a donor. He wanted to give so that others could be supported. 

“As an asylum seeker, I have to abide by the Australian law and follow the lifestyle. Since I came to Australia, I work lawfully, pay tax, drive gently, go to the pub on Fridays after work, positively participate in volunteering activities, help fellow Australians in need as much as I can, and share the load of the hard times too!

Now I stay home to protect the Australian community, I changed my lifestyle to respond to the pandemic, and my humble plan to study to get my medical qualifications recognised here is adversely affected, like (the) ambitions and plans of any Australian in this nation. In addition, I will be punished immediately if I breached any of the current restrictive regulations.

However, Mr Morrison’s government didn’t care to provide any support to people like myself yet. I have an Australian wife and Australian child to look after and we are negatively impacted by the current situation, as any person (who) lives in this country. Sadly, our suffering is more heavy and more bitter because I am an asylum seeker.

In 2016, I sent a thanking letter to the Prime Minister of Australia for I experienced the safety  and the fairness in Australia. Regrettably, now I just feel the bitterness of discrimination after each announcement on economical support package!

I wish Mr Morrison’s government would consider supporting asylum seekers and others who live in the same limbo in Australia, for the enemy we face doesn’t care about citizenship status and indiscriminately spreads between all humankind.

With kind regards,

Tariq.”