Auckland (The NZ Today)
Two members of Iran’s women’s national football team who sought asylum after competing in Australia have officially become Australian citizens.
Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh were sworn in by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke at a citizenship ceremony in Brisbane, surrounded by friends, supporters and members of the Iranian community.
The players remained in Australia after the Asian Cup in March, when concerns were raised about the team’s safety following their refusal to sing Iran’s national anthem before a match against South Korea. Their actions were later criticised on Iranian state television.
Seven members of the Iranian delegation, including a team handler, were initially granted humanitarian visas. Five later withdrew their claims and returned to Iran, while Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh stayed in Australia.
Pasandideh described receiving citizenship as one of the happiest moments of her life, while Ramezanisadeh said Australia had given her the opportunity to build a secure future and feel that she belonged.
Meanwhile, their fast pathway to citizenship has also sparked debate over hundreds of other refugees who have lived in Australia for years on temporary bridging visas.
The Human Rights Law Centre said about 700 refugees had spent more than a decade living with uncertain status, with nearly half believed to be from Iran. It urged the Australian Government to provide them with a similar pathway to permanent security and citizenship.
While the footballers’ ceremony was celebrated as a new beginning, refugee advocates said many long-term residents were still waiting for the same sense of safety, certainty and belonging.
This story was first reported by ABC News Australia.
