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To: Minister Roderic O'Gorman, Minister Simon Coveney & Minister Helen McEntee

Secure a safe haven for the Naderi family #BringTheNaderisToIreland

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.

Ireland

Maps © Stamen; Data © OSM and contributors, ODbL

Category

Updates

2022-01-27 09:20:12 +0000

Many of you know my amazing friends Nicki & Bertrand who have offered to house the Naderi family for the foreseeable future in their home in Cork city.

As the family had to leave everything behind, I'm hoping to raise some funds to help settle Samira, Hamed and Zahed and provide them with warm clothes, shoes, food and medical help. We've been told that it takes approx 3 months before they are fully registered into the Irish system, so this is a way of bridging that gap.
Any donations, large or small, are welcome and very much appreciated: ttps://www.gofundme.com/f/welcomethenaderifamily
& thank you for sharing.

Thank you so much for helping us to make the Naderi family feel welcome here in Cork.

Love & Hugs Joya

2022-01-27 09:19:54 +0000

Dear supporters - thank you so much to everyone who signed this petition last month, calling on the Irish Government to provide a safe haven for my Aghan friends Samira & Hamed Naderi, and their 18-month old son Zahed.

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐈'𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬!
After months of quiet yet hard work behind the scenes to #BringTheNaderisToIreland; calling and writing to local and national representatives; a media drive as well as a public petition, Minister O'Gorman officially granted the Naderi family refugee visas in early January.

Because they've been in hiding from the Taliban and their situation has been so critical I haven't been able to share the news publicly until now - but I am really happy and relieved to report that they are on a flight RIGHT NOW and landing in Dublin Airport this morning (27th of January).

2021-12-16 20:21:11 +0000

The media has been covering their story too this week:
Irish Times: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/from-kabul-to-cork-the-taliban-said-they-would-kill-us-if-they-ever-find-us-1.4753413?localLinksEnabled=false
Irish Examiner: https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40765854.html
Cork Beo: https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-news/cork-couple-offer-shelter-family-22455314
96fm Opinion Line: https://play.acast.com/s/corks-96-fm-opinion-line/podcastextra-afghanspleadforhelpinescaping
Cork Independent: https://www.corkindependent.com/2021/12/16/helping-those-less-fortunate/

Unfortunately I’ve heard nothing at all from the people with the power to make this decision so please do keep sharing this story and the petition.
The hashtag is #BringTheNaderisToIreland

2021-12-16 20:20:54 +0000

Amazing news - we’ve reached 1000 signatures!

In just 5 days a thousand people have heard the Naderis’ story and added their voices to the call to grant them asylum. I couldn’t be more grateful. I’ve shared the news with Hamed and Samira and they are overcome with the kindness and generosity of people here in Ireland. They have had the most horrific few months and your support has been a beacon of hope.

2021-12-16 14:54:15 +0000

1,000 signatures reached

2021-12-13 20:30:05 +0000

500 signatures reached

2021-12-13 13:43:43 +0000

A few people have asked me what else they can do to help, so here's a small list:

- Share the petition using the hashtags #BringTheNaderisToIreland #WelcomeRefugees
- Ask your friends to sign, share and ask their friends to sign and share the petition
- Contact Minister Roderic O’Gorman (01) 6642052 [email protected] asking him to grant the Naderis visas
- Contact Minister Simon Coveney (021) 4374200 [email protected] asking him to grant the Naderis visas
- Contact your local TDs asking them to advocate for the Naderis https://www.whoismytd.com/ (feel free to copy/adapt my petition email)
- Share the Naderis story on social media using the hashtags #BringTheNaderisToIreland #WelcomeRefugees
- Contact the media/call in radio shows etc.
- Ask anyone you know with influence to lend their support.

The family’s life is on the line and we must try everything.
Sincere thanks, Joya

2021-12-13 13:38:52 +0000

A huge thanks to everyone who has signed this petition so far... nearly 400 signatures in just over 18 hrs! And big thanks to The Irish Times for covering their appeal for help today, along with the Faizi Family story.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/from-kabul-to-cork-the-taliban-said-they-would-kill-us-if-they-ever-find-us-1.4753413

2021-12-12 21:02:29 +0000

100 signatures reached

2021-12-12 18:29:04 +0000

50 signatures reached

2021-12-12 16:41:25 +0000

25 signatures reached

2021-12-12 15:54:16 +0000

10 signatures reached