FATHER OF HEDLAND FIRE VICTIMS ASKS FOR COMPASSIONATE LEAVE FROM IMMIGRATION CENTRE
Daneyal Jabari is the father of the two oldest children who perished in a Port Hedland fire two weeks ago and is devastated.
He spoke with his children one week before the tragedy when they were staying with their grandmother.
Police broke the news to Mr Jabari at the Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre after an agonising wait and being told he could not speak to his partner Margaret who had not been charged at the time.
“ I felt somebody hit me with a bullet in my heart, he said.”
“I’m even worried for Margaret herself because she’s a good mother. She’s been looking after those kids for the last ten years. Feeding them, washing them. Taking them to school, playing with them. It makes no sense.”
Mr Jabari was born in Iraq and lived there for 17 years. He arrived in Australia in 1994 and after twenty-eight years - he calls Australia home.
His visa was refused last year after he spent five years in prison. He’s been at the immigration centre since the 21 of April 2022.
“They refused my visa. If I had the opportunity to come out last year, this fire could have been prevented. I would have been there looking after them. This tragedy should not have happened.”
“We had a lot of plans, everything has gone upside down. My world is turning now. We were doing the wedding here. We were going to do the marriage in prison but they didn’t allow it.
“Because of the visa circumstances and I see alot of people here waiting for ten years and I’m like, I’ve been 28 years in this country.”
“I’m not asking to stay permanent. All I’m asking is for permission to stay with the family for two to three months during this sorry time.”
FIVE YEARS IN PRISON
Mr Jabari has been living in Australia since 1994 and did not want to go into detail about why he spent five years in prison.
“I never hurt anyone. I never kill anyone. I never hate anyone. I love everyone. I don’t care where he’s from or what color he is. They love me and I love them. This is the only place in the world that I call home. I lived in Iraq for 17 years. I lived here for 28 years.
“They refused me and I have to go to federal to make an appeal.”
Yindjibarndi man, Les Thompson was raised in Wickham and is the Aboriginal liaison and advocacy officer for Yaandina drug and alcohol services. He also coordinates the Roebourne Men’s Group.
He started a petition on behalf of Mr Javari last week who was a mentor to him.
“I started the petition for Daneyal so he can have a voice and be heard. Daneyal needs to be in Port Hedland so he can be with his family, to grieve, pray and support the extended family as well. I will be there to support Daneyal.”
“Ever since he’s been in prison, I’ve been talking to the family, if not weekly, fortnightly. I used to speak with Margaret a lot, used to call and ask how the kids were going, also supporting his family financially and made sure they’re okay, they have food, they feel safe”
We speak daily at the moment. It’s very sad what has happened.”
Mr Thompson is hopeful that the decision-makers will grant Mr Jabari leave for the funeral of his children and to grieve with family.
“My message would be to not jump to conclusions, not to discriminate, have a heart, the father has just lost two of his beautiful children, he’s grieving, he’s hurt.
He’s at his worst at the moment and I’m just here to support him and be a voice and ask that Immigration grant his release.”
Tristan Edwards is a father and Wickham local and told Ngaarda Media that Jabari helped him to overcome his drug addiction.
“I believe he should be granted permission to attend the funeral of his children to support his family and in-laws during this tragic time.
“He helped me when I first went inside and I will repay the favour and help and support him as much as I can.”
“ The love I saw between him and his children is like the love my daughter shows me every time she sees me when I was in the green coloured suit.
“ It didn't matter what colour suit or clothes we were wearing the kids would always run up to him hug him and jump on him. They would always cry if he tried to put them down. He loves them just as much as they loved him.”
Here is a link to the petition: Support Daneyal Jabari
Ngaarda Media has contacted Immigration Minister Andrew Giles