Refugee author Behrouz Boochani leaves Manus Island after six years, arrives in NZ

An Iranian Kurd, Behrouz Boochani who was detained in Papua New Guinea's (PNG) Manus Island back in 2013, has arrived in New Zealand on November 14 almost after six years. He was sent to Manus Island in 2013, after he arrived in Australia by boat hoping to claim asylum. However, the then Prime Minister said that no asylum seeker arriving by boat would ever be resettled, and the Iranian Kurd was detained to Manus Island where Australia has an offshore processing centre. 

While being detained in Manus Island, Boochani became the most well-known voices of his fellow asylum seekers. Back in 2018 he also wrote a book via WhatsApp from inside the detention centre. In his book No Friend But the Mountains: Writing from Manus Prison he wrote extensively about his time in Manus Island. Many countries had offered to resettle refugees from Australia's detention centres. However, Australia rejected the offer as the Refugees in PNG and the island nation of Nauru can either choose to resettle in those nations, apply for a limited number of places in the US or return to their home country. 

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Boochani's journey

According to international media, the plan to liberate Behrouz Boochani from Papua New Guinea began months ago after Writer's Festival all over the world were ready to host him and willing to sponsor his travel. The escape plan started when the UNHCR was able to provide documents which allowed him to leave PNG. Amnesty International reportedly sponsored Boochani's visa and assisted in smoothing bureaucratic barriers, and officials within PNG immigration acquiesced to his departure. Many officials in Australia did NOt even know that Boochani's exit had been approved as initially, it seemed impossible due to the Australian government's extreme influence and control over the detention centre. 

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The final 34-hour journey began when Boochani was driven to Port Moresby's Jacksons international airport early morning. After reaching the airport the immigration officers questioned Boochani over his documents and phone calls were also placed to New Zealand to ensure he would be admitted. He was flown to Manila in the Philippines where he was made to wait for 19 hours after which he crossed over the Gulf of Carpentaria and finally reached the Queensland coast. While talking to media he said that now that he is finally free, he has decided to travel to the United States, where he has been accepted for asylum as part of a deal to resettle refugees from Australia's two offshore detention centres. 

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