18 August 2021 Dear Honourable Prime Minister Scott Morrison, We write to you urgently as academics, students and concerned citizens who have developed strong relationships with Afghan youth, human rights and women’s rights activists over several years to promote cooperation between our two countries. We have watched as the Taliban have taken over Afghanistan in the past 10 days. We are seriously concerned for the wellbeing and safety of our colleagues and the people of Afghanistan. As Australians, we believe we have a responsibility to stand with Afghan citizens and to provide shelter to those citizens who are human rights and women’s rights defenders likely to be persecuted by the new regime. We also believe we have a responsibility to provide security to Afghan temporary migrants, international students and refugees in Australia. We know that on behalf of the Australia Government you are already leading an emergency mission to evacuate Australian citizens and diplomats from Kabul. As strong supporters of human rights, especially civil and political rights to freedom of speech and association, we ask that you take action immediately and provide expedited asylum for Afghans whose lives are at grave risk. Australia’s aid program in Afghanistan has been dedicated to ending violence against women. Australia has invested in justice for women, changing community attitudes towards violence, advocating for the protection of women’s rights, funding women’s shelters and support services. The individuals and their families who worked in these programs are now in serious danger. We ask that the Australian government immediately prioritise issuing priority refugee visas for Afghans and their families who worked for these programs. Please check the list of current Australia Awards recipients to identify any Afghan Students at Australian universities on student visas and offer them immediate refugee status or temporary protection visas as well as counselling and financial support. Their contribution to community resilience will be invaluable to the Australian community. In addition, we call for Australia to provide permanent residency status for Afghan temporary migrants, international students, refugees and asylum seekers currently in Australia to ensure their security. Australia should also open the pathway for family reunification, to enable those whose families are in grave danger in Afghanistan, to be able to safely reunite with their loved ones in Australia. There is no option to send them back to Afghanistan. Australia should refer to the United States’ Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez and Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s bipartisan letter urging the Biden administration to take swift, robust action to protect and support Afghan women leaders facing unparalleled danger following the Taliban’s violent sweep across Afghanistan and seizure of Kabul. Australia should also follow Canada’s lead, and establish a scheme to provide humanitarian visas, giving priority to human rights activists and religious minorities, such as, persecuted Hazaras, who are already facing ethnic cleansing at the hands of the Taliban. As this is an urgent matter, of life and death, we ask that the Australian government act immediately. As advocates of the Women, Peace and Security agenda and the Responsibility to Protect principle, we hope Australia will stand up for the international human rights regime and be a leader in providing safe asylum for Afghans who have fought for human rights. We would be prepared to send a delegation to meet with you to discuss the humanitarian and protection needs of Afghan women and children, in particular, including those given emergency visas as they relocate to Australia. Yours faithfully, Five thousand three hundred and sixty seven signatories below. Professor Jacqui True, Monash Gender, Peace and Security Centre Professor Felicity Gerry QC Crockett Chambers and Deakin University, Melbourne Dr Susan Carland DECRA Fellow & Churchill Fellow, Monash University Professor of Practice, Hon Dr. Monash University Sharman Stone Hamah Hosen President of the Monash International Affairs Society Ryan Attard Monash Student, Former President of the Monash International Affairs Society Sitarah Mohammadi Deputy Chair, Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network Professor Sara Davies Griffith University Dr Eleanor Gordon Monash University Dr. Samanthi Gunawardana Monash Gender, Peace and Security Centre Associate Professor Maria Monash University Rost Rublee Professor Greg Barton Deakin University Associate Professor Marie Monash University Segrave Dr. Alexandra Phelan Monash Gender, Peace and Security Centre Associate Professor Katrina Monash University Lee-Koo Kon Karapanagiotidis OAM CEO, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Amy Haddad Tetra Tech International Development 2 Professor Ian Hall Griffith University Yasmin Chilmeran Swedish Institute of International Affairs, Monash GPS Yolanda Riveros Morales Research Fellow, Monash Gender Peace and Security Centre Dr Jenna Sapiano Monash Gender, Peace and Security Centre Professor Margaret Barrett Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance, Monash University Professor Cat Hope Monash University Dr GJ Breyley Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance, Monash University Professor Laura J. Shepherd The University of Sydney Sarah Boyd The Gender Agency; Practitioner Fellow, Monash Gender, Peace and Security Centre Dr Phil Orchard University of Wollongong Dr Josh Roose Deakin University Professor Mark Beeson University of Western Australia Dr Nisha Khot University of Melbourne Dr. Laura Cook University of Melbourne Professor Jeanette Kennett Macquarie University Dr Beth Cardier Griffith University Dr Elizabeth Hessian University of Melbourne Dr Jo Langdon Deakin University Dr Estelle Strazdins University of Queensland A/Prof Adrienne O'Neil Deakin University Professor Alex Bellamy Asia Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect Revered Associate Professor University of Divinity Frank Rees Dr Christine Padgett University of Tasmania Dr Gerald Roche La Trobe University Professor Michael Murphy Swinburne University of Technology Dr Moira Graves The University of Newcastle Anggia Anggraini PhD Candidate, Monash University, Gender, Peace and Security Centre 3 Dr Helen Berents Queensland University of Technology Dr Sal Clark Swinburne University of Technology Connor Gordon, Student Sanam Wahidi, Student at Monash University Sakira Nathaniel, Student Riya Kiran, Student Sakya Bellanage, Student Dr Susie Cartledge Monash University, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Naz Sharifi Australian Human Rights Commission Amelia Mulcahy Monash University Student Tiana Sixsmith Monash University Ella Baldwin Monash University Student Dr Melanie Van Twest University of Melbourne, University of Tasmania Dr David Gilbert Australian National University Professor Perran Cook Monash University Associate Professor Anna Flinders University Ziersch Dr. Caitlin Mollica Queensland University of Technology Professor Felice Jacka Deakin University Professor Holly Cullen UWA Law School Emeritus Professor Geoff University of Western Australia Hammond Dr Carrie McDougall University of Melbourne Dr Tom Roberts UNSW Canberra (ADFA) Dr Julie Andrews La Trobe University Dr Julia Anaf Researcher on social justice, Flinders University Dr Kate Hall Deakin University Associate Professor Shahar University of Queensland Hameiri Professor Kanishka Jayasuriya Murdoch University Dr Yoni Prior University of Melbourne 4 Dr Sophie Oltrogger Macquarie University Dr Geir Henning Western Sydney University Presterudstuen Dr. Erin Bradshaw Monash University Christina Schmid Monash University Prof Iain Davidson University of New England Mohsen Solhdoost University of Queensland Professor Amanda Wise Macquarie University Dr Susan Myburgh University of South Australia Dr Kyja Noack-Lundberg University of New South Wales A/Prof Andries Onsman Monash University Amy Goble Monash Alum Henrik Kjellmo Larsen Monash University Bernadette Matthews Women Peace and Security Rania Souied Student Gertrude Nayak Monash University Naomi Mentiplay Student Talia Prime Monash University Saskia Komljenovic Student Claire Moran Monash University Kate Bowman Monash University Olivia Henricus Monash University Betty Barkha Monash Gender, Peace and Security Centre Ainsley Carter Monash Alum Jennifer Canfield Australian National University Piyali Somaia Australian Global Health Alliance Katrina Hill Monash University, MCSHE Rahul Prasad Australian Citizen Irine Gayatri Gender, Peace and Security Centre, Monash University Piper Delzoppo Student Neil Bazley Nedha de Silva Monash University 5 Mietta Yans Jordan Gartner Griffith University Murtaza Majidi Temporary protection visa holder I am fearful of my family Sue Marlan Monash Alum Elise Mccredie University of Melbourne Elli Murphy Australian Citizen Justine McNamara Australian Mary Bolling Sarah Flynn Educator Kaithrin Wilkinson Monash Student Niall Holden Lee Williams Concerned Citizen Carolyn Bradley Clancy Bennett Former Student Suzanne Wallace Natacha Tracy Van Badham Guardian Australia Jacqueline Campbell Jan Batten Mark Jordan Deeksha Patil Student Luke Townsend Fi Power Concerned Australian Citizen Jane Elliot Citizen of Australia Chelsea Cappetta Citizen Mohadesa Hussaini Student Mark Griffin University of Wollongong Student Caroline Ryan Maurice Mckay Concerned Citizen Julie Morgan Concerned Citizen Ailsa Webb Monash University Juris Doctor Student 6 Brittany Herrington Maree