Aisha can now live in safety and freedom

Tuesday, December 16 2025

The need to protect human rights is now more urgent than ever.

Please donate to our End of Year Appeal so we can help people like Aisha.

Aisha* is a 44-year-old woman from Saudia Arabia who kept her sexuality a secret due to her fears of what might happen if it was known in Saudia Arabia.

After moving to Australia in 2018, she continued to hide her sexuality, fearing the consequences of returning to Saudia Arabia, where her sexuality could result in severe harm.

In 2019, with the help of a community member, but without any legal help, Aisha applied for a protection visa.

In 2021, the Department asked her to attend an interview. Unsure of how to navigate the online interview process – and not having any legal assistance – Aisha was too scared to attend the interview. Shortly after, the Department refused her visa application, stating that her claims were not credible.

Aisha appealed the decision to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. In February 2025, she received an invitation to attend a hearing in May 2025. She immediately contacted us for legal help.

With our legal help, she was able to express her deep fears of persecution and to explain why she could not return to Saudia Arabia, particularly given the harm she would face if she was open about her sexuality.

In August 2025, the Tribunal ruled in her favor, recognising her as a refugee owed protection in Australia. They found her testimony “compelling and nuanced,” and accepted that she had concealed her sexuality both in Saudia Arabia and in Australia for fear of harm.

Just recently, Aisha was granted a protection visa. She is so relieved to be able to live here in safety and freedom.

We continue to work fearlessly to help people like Aisha.

Our profound thanks to the many of you who have already donated to our End of Year Appeal. If you haven’t already, please consider giving to help people like Aisha.

 

With thanks and appreciation,

David Manne
Refugee Legal
CEO & Principal Solicitor

* Names and certain details have been changed to protect confidentiality.