Iranian Women's Footballers Seek Refuge in Australia Amid Protests
Two Iranian women's football team members received asylum in Australia, joining five others already granted humanitarian visas. Their departure was surrounded by protests in Sydney, as Iranian Australians expressed concerns about the women's safety back in Iran.
- Country:
- New Zealand
Two more members of the Iranian women's football team have been granted asylum in Australia, according to the country's Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke. The pair joins five players who received humanitarian visas just a day earlier, he announced in Canberra.
This latest group includes one player and a team staffer. Both sought asylum before the rest of the team was transported to the airport, amidst escalating tensions and protests at their hotel and at Sydney airport.
The protests were led by Iranian Australians who were concerned about the women's safety if they returned to Iran. Despite the uproar, the rest of the team's departure proceeded on Tuesday night, local time.
ALSO READ
-
Asylum Granted: Iranian Women's Footballers Find Refuge in Australia
-
2 more members of Iranian women's football team have asylum in Australia, Australian official says, reports AP.
-
Humanitarian Visas Granted to Iranian Women's Soccer Players in Australia
-
Iranian Women's Soccer Players Seek Asylum Amid Anthem Protest
-
Asylum for Iranian Women's Soccer Team Rewrites Future in Australia
Google News