On Wednesday afternoon the Senate passed a motion to expedite asylum claims for two Saudi journalists currently in detention.
The successful motion acknowledged that the couple are at “increased risk” compared to other detainees because of their sexuality.
in October after Saudi state security outed them as gay. Both had been living successful lives as professional journalists working with foreign media, including CNN, while keeping their relationship secret. Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia and punishable by death.
The pair flew to Australia on valid tourist visas, with plans to seek asylum. After passing immigration at the airport, customs authorities inspected their bags and phones. Sultan believes the officials saw messages to LGBTQI groups in Australia asking advice for those fleeing persecution for their sexuality.
When the pair told officials of their intention to seek asylum they were taken to a detention centre, where they have been mostly held since.
Sultan told Dateline the motion gives them hope for a speedy resolution.
“I hope we will be released immediately in order to put this whole ordeal behind us and become productive, tax-paying citizens of Australia in due course,” he said.
“But my thoughts are with those who are in detention without charge, trial and without legal representation at the whim of the government,” he said.
The couple’s lawyer, Alison Battisson, said she was at capacity when Nassar and Sultan asked for her assistance but quickly agreed to help when they identified as gay.
“We hope the motion will focus the minds of the Ministers. Particularly due to the increasing levels of violence inside Australian detention centres rendering them unsafe,” Ms Battisson told Dateline.
Dateline has seen letters sent by several journalists from global newsrooms, including the BBC and the Globe and Mail, pressuring Minister for Immigration David Colemen to grant the men asylum and release them from detention.
Channel 4 presenter Jon Snow wrote that their claims for asylum are “an urgent matter of both free speach and gay rights.” While Senior International Correspondent at the Globe and Mail Mark MacKinnon said their colleagues from newsrooms around the world will be “watching the outcome of the process.”
Professor Peter Greste from the Alliance for Journalist Freedom said in a statement, “if Australia wants to be seen as a campaign of press freedom around the world, and wanted to be respected and taken seriously, the Government will act swiftly, and with understanding and compassion in relation to these two journalists.”
