Australia grants asylum to 2 more members of Iranian women's football team

"A player and a member of the team's support staff decided to stay in Australia after seeking asylum, Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke told reporters on Wednesday. The pair has now joined five other team members granted humanitarian visas on Tuesday, Burke told reporters. He said the pair sought asylum before the team departed the country late on Tuesday night."

"All the women were taken aside individually by Australian officials and interpreters, without Iranian minders present, and offered asylum as they passed through security at Sydney airport. They were given a choice, said Burke. In that situation, what we made sure of was that there was no rushing, there was no pressure, he said."

"The seven team members who had requested asylum have received temporary humanitarian visas, which is a pathway to permanent residency in Australia, Burke said. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the visas offered to the team members are valid for 12 months and are similar to those granted to applicants from Ukraine, Palestine and Afghanistan."

Australia has granted humanitarian visas to seven members of the Iranian women's football team who sought asylum over safety concerns. Five players initially received asylum on Tuesday, followed by two additional team members—a player and support staff member—who decided to stay after the team passed through Sydney airport security. Australian officials offered asylum individually to each woman without Iranian minders present, ensuring no pressure or rushing. The temporary humanitarian visas are valid for 12 months and provide a pathway to permanent residency. Some delegation members were not offered asylum. The visas are comparable to those granted to applicants from Ukraine, Palestine, and Afghanistan.

Read at www.aljazeera.com