Dear Ministers,
We ask you to do everything in your power to grant our friends Samira, Hamed and their 18-month old son Zahid, asylum in Ireland as Programme Refugees. They have been in hiding in Afghanistan since the Taliban took over and their lives are in severe danger.
Their application to the Irish Refugee Protection Programme ticks all the boxes. In addition, we have a formal and excellent offer of accommodation here in Cork City with our friends and their children; we will house and support the family, and facilitate their integration into Ireland.
The Naderi family are a brilliant example of what Afghanistan aspired to become before the Taliban took over this summer: Two working parents of 18-month old boy, Zahid. They dedicated their professional lives to advancing the rights of women and girls. Samira became a Biology and Mathematics Teacher at a government girls school. She pushed her students to dream big and to following in her footsteps, claiming their place in university and in civil society. Hamed, like his wife, championed the education, equality and integration of women and girls into all aspects of Afghan society, working as an Advocacy Assistant for the renowned Afghan Women’s Network.
The family had to go into hiding as soon as the Taliban took to power this summer and are in constant fear or their lives. Many of their colleagues have disappeared and they know that their family will not survive if they are found.
Cork politicians have been very supportive in trying to bring the family’s case to the government’s attention. We have been told that their visa application ticks all the boxes and is with your Department - but we still haven’t received any official communication. We are incredibly worried for Samira, Hamed and Zahid’s safety and are trying to do everything we can to bring them to our safe haven in Cork City, Ireland.
Dear Ministers - this is a good, hardworking and educated family. They speak English and all they wish to do is work and contribute to civic society. Without your help, this family will die - simply because they had the courage to advocate for women’s rights.
Our sincere thanks for taking the time to read this letter and consider their application. We really hope that you are in a position to help and look forward to hearing from you soon.
#BringTheNaderisToIreland
Warm and hopeful regards,
Joya Kuin, Cork City
Why is this important?
The Taliban are actively trying to track down Samira and Hamed. It is only a matter of time before they are discovered and killed. We need Ireland to grant them asylum urgently to save their lives and the life of their young son.
We have everything at the ready in Cork City for the family to live a happy and well-provisioned life. All we need now is the official visa approval from Government.
#BringTheNaderisToIreland
#WelcomeRefugees
How it will be delivered
We will deliver the signatures in person.
