Khaled lives in western Sydney with his wife Rhamia and their six children. He’s just one of around 500 Syrian refugees who’ve started a new life in Australia. In his own words, this is his story.
Life was very good
I was a businessman in Syria; I had five companies, including a car and freight company and a bakery for tourists. I also had a farm where we raised cattle and purebred horses.
I was wealthy there and life was very good.
Torture
In 2010 the government launched a crackdown on dissent. Critics, human rights defenders, alleged opponents of the government and others were detained, often for prolonged periods; some were sentenced to prison terms after unfair trials.
The trouble began in 2010 when I was imprisoned without charge for around 11 months. I was accused by a military officer of obtaining ‘illegal money’ but was released when the prison ran out of room.
Not long after my release from prison I was kidnapped by a gang. They were after every single person who was rich and wealthy; they wanted all of these people who had factories, money, assets.
They were after every single person who was rich and wealthy; they wanted all of these people who had factories, money, assets.
They kept me for two months. I was tortured: slashed repeatedly with a knife. I saw four friends murdered in front of me.
They kept me for two months. I was tortured: slashed repeatedly with a knife. I saw four friends murdered in front of me.
They demanded ransom money from my wife, so she sold our house and land in order to pay it.
Conflict escalating
Finally, one month after the start of the conflict in 2011, they released me and threw me in a rubbish bin, naked and on the verge of death on the main street. As you can imagine for someone who was wealthy and suddenly I had nothing at all, as naked as a baby; I was humiliated.
By this time the conflict had escalated and it was no longer safe, so I had to ask my wife and children to leave for Lebanon. That was in the month of December 2011.
It is true that there is a conflict happening in Syria and that is in the media, but when we got to Lebanon life there was very, very hard. We found there was a lot of sectarian violence. If you didn’t stand up for yourself you would be killed. During that time we registered with the UNHCR.
Resettlement in Australia
We were selected for resettlement in Australia. Originally, I refused to come because I didn’t want to go somewhere where I didn’t know anything or have any money, especially when I had my children with me. Then, after a couple of conversations with the UNHCR they explained to me how I would be able to travel with my family to Australia.
We left on the 9th of December 2013.
Australia is better than Lebanon and I didn’t expect it to be as good.
Australian people are very, very kind. I feel comfortable moving to this country because it is good for the sake of my children and their future. My children are getting on well at school.
Australian people are very, very kind. I feel comfortable moving to this country because it is good for the sake of my children and their future.
Generally speaking, the Australian nation is great and good-hearted. The teachers are very good and they are really facilitating my childrens’ learning.
Future
We are able to keep the Syrian traditions in the house; for example, my wife cooks Syrian food for us. In regards to adapting to life in this country, I’m studying English language classes at the moment so I’m looking to the future.
We’re feeling very optimistic about our future in Australia. Australians have welcomed us here to their country. As for being in Australia, my children will be able to study and do something with their lives.
Unfortunately, for the children in Syria there is no future whatsoever.
Unfortunately, for the children in Syria there is no future whatsoever.
Even for those who left Syria to go to neighbouring countries such as Jordan and Lebanon, I predict there won’t be much of a future for them. Syria has entered into a great conflict and there is no future there whatsoever – not now, maybe not ever.
Open to Syria
Khaled spoke to us as part of our new report, Hardship, Hope and resettlement: Refugees from Syria tell their stories.
The report compiles case studies from Syrian refugees. We are using the research to call on governments, including Australia, to increase their intake of Syrian refugees.
Australia has the capacity to provide protection to at least 10,000 Syrian refugees considered by the UN to be most in need.
Currently, the Australian Government’s intake stands at 1,500 per year for the next three years. This is only 1.2% of the total considered by the UN to need resettlement.
