"We've been working very, very closely with them, but obviously this is a very complex situation. These are deeply personal decisions, and the government respects the decisions of those that have chosen to return. And we continue to offer support to the two that are remaining. They're being given all the support of the Australian government and indeed the diaspora community to remain here and settle in Australia."
"Kylie Moore-Gilbert, a political scientist at Sydney's Macquarie University who spent more than two years in Iranian prisons on spying charges from 2018 to 2020, said 'winning the propaganda war' had overshadowed the women's welfare."
Five members of Iran's women's soccer team who initially accepted humanitarian visas to remain in Australia have left the country, with the latest departure occurring shortly before midnight Sunday. Of an initial seven squad members who accepted refugee status, only two remain in Australia. The Iranian government has characterized the departures as a victory against Australia and the U.S., while the Iranian diaspora in Australia attributes the exits to pressure from Tehran. The Australian government continues supporting the two remaining players. The situation stems from the team's arrival for the Women's Asian Cup before Middle East conflict escalated on February 28, prompting some players to seek asylum.
#iranian-womens-soccer-team #refugee-visas-australia #geopolitical-tensions #humanitarian-crisis #propaganda-warfare
Read at www.npr.org
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