A message from Prof Gillian Triggs AC on World Refugee Day

Friday, June 20 2025

Dear friends of Refugee Legal,

I’m often asked for support from many compelling causes. All of them are worthy of our generosity. How does one choose?

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As a Patron of Refugee Legal, I was recently speaking to David Manne. We know that, above all else, people forced to flee from danger in their home country need safety and a new home. That is their right. They need to rebuild their lives with dignity. To do that, their foremost need is the legal permission to stay.

With this, they also need their liberty.

In helping people seeking asylum and refugees, the first and fundamental priority should be providing expert legal advice. Immigration law is notoriously complex and onerous. Quite simply, people cannot understand or complete the legal requirements, let alone present their case, without this assistance.

While legal assistance is being provided under the formal process to secure protection, access to material aid and psycho-social supports are important as people endure often prolonged wait times on their cases. But it is the legal assistance that will save lives and provide durable solutions.

For many years, I have also admired Refugee Legal’s work in strategic litigation. It has proven to be a vital tool for advancing fundamental rights, protecting individuals from persecution, and safeguarding their liberty. And ensuring the rule of law is brought to bear on many people’s cases. Refugee Legal has continued to be at the forefront of this important work. Just last year, in the wake of the High Court ruling indefinite immigration detention to be unconstitutional, Refugee Legal successfully challenged the Government’s imposition of ankle bracelet monitor and curfew conditions after release from indefinite detention; the High Court ruling the conditions unlawful and unconstitutional.

As global crises multiply and escalate, and the number of people forced from their homes has been soaring to unprecedented levels, I recognise the overwhelming feeling of wanting to help those in need. At this time, our help is best directed to assisting individuals by providing them with access to the specialist legal support provided by Refugee Legal and the pro bono support from the corporate law firm partners.

If you are thinking about helping people seeking asylum and refugees, I encourage you to support Refugee Legal to maintain its free advice service to help refugees secure the legal permission they need to stay in Australia.

If you want to be part of helping refugees to live freely and safely, then please donate what you can to Refugee Legal. A gift before June 30th will be especially welcome.

Best wishes and thank you,

Gillian

Professor Emerita Gillian Triggs AC
Former Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, UNHCR
Patron of Refugee Legal