In 1999, Ali Jafari fled the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and was resettled as a refugee in Australia. But then, while visiting Pakistan, his permanent residency was suddenly cancelled. Now, 12 years later, he’s still stranded – separated from his family and fighting ASIO’s allegations that he is a people smuggler.

In court, Jafari’s family and legal team are up against it. They have discovered that the evidence behind his adverse security assessment is deemed confidential and will only be presented in a closed hearing – without their presence.

It’s an example of how  the national security apparatus is increasingly being used to pursue suspected people smugglers, often at the expense of foundational principles of justice.

Today, journalist and contributor to The Saturday Paper Mark Isaacs on the Jafari family’s search for answers and why ASIO refuses to provide them.

 

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Guest: Journalist and contributor to The Saturday Paper, Mark Isaacs.

Photo: AFP Photo / Basarnas

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