In April 2016, the gates of the Manus Island detention centre were opened to the asylum seekers for the first time. The Papua New Guinea Supreme Court had unanimously ruled that the detention of asylum seekers on Manus Island violated their constitutional right to personal liberty. The court ordered the Australian and PNG governments to immediately take steps to close the centre.

A few weeks later the men received news that their class-action lawsuit against the Australian government was to be settled out of court. Even though they would be compensated tens of thousands of dollars each, evidence of human rights abuses would never be made public.

This is Escaping Limbo.

In 2017, an Australian judge found that Mostafa’s claim to political asylum is legitimate. Moz has a right under international law to be protected by Australia. But because he arrived under the Rudd government’s PNG solution, he was told he would never come to Australia.

Australia is the only country in the world that locks up refugees in foreign prisons.

This is Escaping Limbo.

Hundreds of people are currently under the lock and key of the Australian government for simply trying to come to Australia by boat. Their captivity is designed to scare others fleeing war, violence, and persecution out of seeking refuge on Australia’s shores. They’ve become political pawns in the game of Australian border policy. These vulnerable men, women, and children are left in limbo, never arriving, yet unable to return home.

Join us as we follow life in limbo for Mostafa Azimitabar, a Kurdish musician from Iran—who you’ll come to know as Moz. We’ll try to uncover the ways Australia can end the inhumane treatment of refugees and give Moz his freedom, while also protecting Australians and preventing asylum seekers from drowning at sea.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes descriptions of torture, self-harm, and suicide. It's not suitable for all listeners.

If at any time you feel you need support, call LifeLine on 13 11 14, or visit any of the following services:
www.lifeline.org.au
www.beyondblue.org.au
www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
In an emergency, call 000 or your local emergency services.