Refugee Newsletter - unhcr

Detention Centre in Western Australia beforebeing recognized as refugees.“It was horrible” Najeeba recalls, “Itwasn’t something you would expect, beinglocked up”. Upon release Najeeba and herfamily were sent to Tasmania where they feltmore welcomed: “It was really nice, peoplereally welcomed us,” she said. Speakingfondly of the kindness and generosity of herTasmanian neighbours, Najeeba felt morepositive about the new start. “I thought, ‘Ishouldn’t judge everyone.’”For Razia the challenges continued:“Outside the detention centre we had tolearn English and we have to live in a newsociety,” she said. But she appreciates thesupport of the local Afghan communitywhich helped her family settle in over thosefirst few months and years.“We were always going to each others’houses and having fun” recalls Najeeba ofthe time they then spent together in Sydneybefore Razia moved away to Griffith. Whilethe two girls lost touch over that period, totheir delight they were reunited when Raziareturned to Sydney and was enrolled atHolroyd High School.Their parents are very pleased at theirsuccess in the competition and Najeeba’sfather is proud that his child is contributingto Australian society, particularly after fouryears of uncertainty over whether theywould be granted residency.“When we got residence my dad hadtears and my mum jumped up and down.My dad said ‘From now on, we are moreresponsible to this country, we have to dothings to benefit this country and make itproud of us’” said Najeeba, who plans to liveby her father’s vow and become Australia’sfirst female Prime Minister. Razia also hashigh ambitions: “I would like to go to uni andpossibly study medicine if I get the marks.”Awarding the prizes to the two girls lastMay, UNHCR’s Regional Representative NeillWright said: “It’s a testament to the courageand resilience of Razia and Najeeba thatafter all they’ve been through, they are nowdoing well at school and have won places inthis national writing competition.”Both girls received book vouchersdonated by Gleebooks and the two storieshave been published (along with otherfinalists) in a book by Refugees: telling theirstories which can be viewed on line atwww.unhcr.org.au or ordered ataulcapi@unhcr.chNew UNHCR ResourcesThematic Compilation ofExecutive CommitteeConclusions(2nd edition, June 2005)This new reference tool groups all relevantExCom references since 1975 by subject,mapping the evolution of thinking on keyprotection issues.The 2nd edition incorporates ExComconclusions adopted in 2001 through2004, and includes new subject headingssuch as:• age, gender and diversitymainstreaming• capacity building• Convention Plus• durable solutions• interception• participation/community developmentapproach/empowerment• reception of asylum-seekers• return of persons found not to be inneed of international protection• smuggling and traffickingThe updated Compilation is available atwww.unhcr.ch/protect/Protectionpublications/compilations andcommentaries.The following resources are available fromUNHCR’s Regional Office in Australia.UNHCR's Global Appeal 2005This report providesan overview ofUNHCR's strategiesand programmes forthe year 2005.Global Report 2004UNHCR's annualreview of theachievements andimpact of itsprogrammes worldwide during theprevious year, published June 2005.UNHCR REGIONAL OFFICENEWSLETTERNo. 2/2005(Published August 2005)A publication of the Regional Office forAustralia, New Zealand, Papua NewGuinea and the South Pacific.15 Hunter Street,Yarralumla ACT 2600Tel: +61 2 6273 2733Fax: +61 2 6273 6822E-mail: aulca@unhcr.chWeb: www.unhcr.org.auEditors: Sylvana Whyte andAriane Rummery24 Refugee Newsletter No. 2/2005