Fighting For Hakeem tells the story of Australia’s generosity in helping detained refugee Hakeem al-Araibi

The launch today of Craig Foster’s new book Fighting for Hakeem, reveals the inner workings of the campaign to free the young footballer who was detained for 76 days in a Thai prison thanks to the systemic failure of Australian Government agencies. “This was a powerful moment that brought the whole nation together in solidarity …

AFP apology to Hakeem welcome, action still needed

Amnesty International Australia welcomed Australian Federal Police chief Reece Kershaw’s apology to Hakeem al-Araibi for the time he was detained in a Thai prison. “An apology, albeit belated, is the very least Hakeem should expect for the ordeal he and his family endured,” Amnesty International Australia campaigner Tim O’Connor said. “It’s a welcome acknowledgement of …

Not good enough: Home Affairs systemic failure, not just ‘human error’, could easily happen again

Responding to comments by Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton today that “human error” was to blame for his department putting Hakeem al-Araibi’s life at risk, Amnesty International Australia campaigner Tim O’Connor said: “It’s simply not good enough to scapegoat a single person for what is a systemic failure. The fact is that a person’s life …

FOI documents raise serious concerns over Australian Government’s role in detention of Hakeem al-Araibi

Freedom of information documents finally released after nine months illustrate how shambolic communication and a culture of punishment before protection within the Home Affairs Department put Hakeem al-Araibi’s life at risk. Hakeem was unfairly detained in Thailand in November 2018 for 76 days on an erroneous Interpol red notice after contacting the Australian Government to …