SAAN received an invitation from the office of the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon. Andrew Giles and the meeting was held at his office in the Australian Parliament in Canberra on March 20, 2024. The meeting was also attended by a representative from Darfur Advocacy, Mr. Ayoub Abbakar. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss issues related to Sudanese asylum seekers both inside and outside Australia and how to improve their conditions.
The minister emphasised that despite the absence of the Sudanese issue in the Australian media, the Australian government and his ministry remain committed to finding practical solutions to the issues of Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers. He also touched upon the importance of resettling some Sudanese refugees in Australia and providing necessary support for them.
The minister mentioned that his ministry has received a large number of asylum applications from Sudanese individuals abroad as well as those within Australia with various types of visas. He affirmed that the Australian government has approved many of these requests, especially those referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the concerned parties will be notified through the relevant authorities according to the specified schedule.
Regarding Sudanese visa holders with non-permanent status in Australia, the minister assured the SAAN delegation that their situations would be addressed to ensure that no one is returned to Sudan given the current conditions there. He stressed that the government is working to facilitate access to basic services and necessary support for these individuals.
The minister discussed the measures taken by his ministry following the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in April, where visa procedures were eased for Australians of Sudanese origin to facilitate the entry of their relatives into Australia through tourist and visitor visas, resulting in the issuance of over 400 visas, of which 222 have arrived in Australia.
SAAN inquired about the suspension of the Community Support Program (CSP) in Egypt, and while the minister did not provide a specific explanation, he promised to provide detailed information later.
Finally, the minister highlighted the importance of the Australian Sudanese Network (SAAN) in coordinating and consulting with the Australian government regarding issues related to Sudanese refugees, emphasising the importance of continuous cooperation between the government and SAAN to support and assist those affected.