A group of Australian teachers, who have been providing lessons to Afghan women refugees via videolink, are imploring the federal government to save their students from being pushed back into the hands of the Taliban.
Virtual School Australia delivers free online education for students in difficult situations overseas, with teachers volunteering to help students with English, science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths.
Among VSA's students are five young women from Afghanistan who fled to Pakistan to escape persecution by the Taliban. However the Pakistan government recently decided to expel all Afghan refugees, forcing them to return to the Taliban, where they face imprisonment or murder.
"These young women are incredibly motivated, courageous, and keen to improve themselves, despite all the hardship they have gone through. The idea that they could soon be forced out of Pakistan and into the waiting arms of the Taliban is deeply distressing," said VSA Director Paramita Roy.
"Our students are targeted by the Taliban for many reasons, including Hazara ethnicity, working for NGOs, escaping from violent marriages, and being human rights activists.
"They are scared for their lives, knowing they will be imprisoned or executed by the Taliban if they return to Afghanistan. They are now hiding in rented shelters in Pakistan, fearing they will be found and knowing that, any day, their little freedom will be forever taken from them. With the Pakistani election around the corner, we know that violence and police brutality has escalated.
"We have urged the Australian Government to grant Australian visas on humanitarian grounds to these intelligent and resilient young women who are despairing and rapidly losing hope for any kind of future. They would be an asset to our country.
"As teachers, we have built a strong rapport with our intelligent, articulate and resilient students. We are devastated at the heartbreaking news that they are now in this dire situation."
Virtual School Australia is asking all concerned citizens to add their names to a petition for the young women.
About us:
Virtual School Australia delivers free online education for students in difficult situations overseas. Our dedicated teachers voluntarily give their time improve students’ skills in English, science, technology, engineering, arts and maths, enabling them to pursue employment, economic independence and other life opportunities previously closed to them.
www.virtualschoolaustralia.com.au
https://www.linkedin.com/company/virtual-school-australia
Contact details:
Paramita Roy: 0418802753 / [email protected]
