Iranian woman to fight asylum refusal
An Iranian woman is seeking protection in Australia, claiming she will face persecution and be denied the opportunity to live with the basic freedoms afforded Western women, including more liberal dress and the opportunity of freedom of political association. The woman says she cannot hide her anti-regime views and Western values, nor does she wish to. Australian officials met an Iranian delegation last week to discuss the return of failed asylum-seekers. Iran says asylum-seekers wanting to return to Iran must not be under duress. The woman, who asked not to be identified, came to Australia in 2007 and applied for a protection visa in 2013. Her application was refused in the Federal Circuit Court last week but the woman plans an appeal. She told The Australian she began making public statements against the Iranian regime and Islamic laws on the internet after her sister was detained and assaulted at a party in 2012, and she values the freedoms w