exclusive
How detainees released from WA’s Yongah Hill Detention Centre spent their first night of freedom

Freed domestic violence offender Alihassan “Ali” Mohammadi had only two things on his mind as he woke up in a Thornlie motel on Sunday morning — finding a job and buying himself a piece of cake. Despite it being the first night the 30-year-old Afghan refugee had spent out from behind bars in almost two years, he said he was happy to keep things simple: catching up with friends, and eating some “good food”. “It was good, it was beautiful,” he told The West Australian from outside his Perth motel on Sunday morning on his way to the shops. Minutes later he returned clutching a bottle of freshly-squeezed juice and cradling a piece of chocolate cake. Ali came to Australia by boat from Afghanistan more than a decade ago. However, after serving six months in jail for a domestic violence offence, Ali found himself “indefinitely detained” in Yongah Hill Detention Centre in Northam. That detention was overturned on Wednesday when the High Court ruled the decision to keep stateless refugees indefinitely locked up was unconstitutional — even if they have been convicted of serious crimes. Released from Yongah Hill on Friday alongside 27 other detainees and driven to a basic motel on the outskirts of Perth, Ali said his number one concern was work. “I’m really scared I won’t be allowed to work. I have no one here, I’m all alone,” he said. “I need to earn money if I’m going to make it. I’m ready to work as soon as tomorrow, I just need the Government to say that I can.” It is understood the exact conditions of his new bridging visa could take weeks to be finalised. The Government says the released detainees will be eligible for the status resolution support services program, which will include receiving short-term accommodation for a couple of weeks to make sure they are not immediately homeless. How much help is given depends on people’s individual circumstances. In other States, those who have family in Australia have gone home while some people’s lawyers have provided accommodation or linked them up with support groups. Premier Roger Cook told The West police were working with Federal agencies to understand the impact of the High Court’s decision, and to make sure there was no “undue risk” to the community. “Some of (these detainees) were responsible for some very dangerous and grievous acts,” he said. “You’ve seen some pretty extraordinary case studies being described in the media and that is obviously a level of concern. “I think we were all blindsided in relation to (the) decision, but it’s … one that we must respect.” Also among the nearly 30 “unlawful non-citizens” who were taken to a motel on the outskirts of Perth’s metropolitan area on Saturday was 42-year-old Friday Yokoju. Mr Yokoju, originally from Zimbabwe, was jailed for one year over a domestic violence offence he says he did not commit despite pleading guilty to it. After serving his time, his permanent residency was revoked and he was taken to detention, where he has remained for six years. He said he felt both happy and angry over his surprise release. “The racism has to stop,” he said. “It’s not supposed to happen, let it go. “I did my time — seven times over. “I’ve seen white people go to prison for drugs, spend a few months there and then get out. “Everybody else goes to hell.” Like Ali, Mr Yokoju’s main priority is earning money. “I just want to work and live my life,” he said. We’re not offending anyone by being out. If we don’t do nothing (sic) wrong leave us alone.” Another detainee said he had his sights set on a construction job in Canberra, where his family is eagerly waiting to see him for the first time in almost six years. “It’s still not sinking in that I’m out. I still feel locked up because I’m not actually home yet, with my loved ones.” The 33-year-old received a suspended prison sentence for several traffic and drink driving offences but was forced to serve six months of actual jail time when he breached the order. “After I got out I got picked up by border force,” he said. “I didn’t know it was going to happen. It was my first time going to jail. Yes, I made mistakes, but I didn’t expect my permanent residency to be cancelled. “They didn’t even let me go see my father when he passed away.” The detainee, who asked not to be named, came to Australia from Sudan as a refugee in 2007. While he slept on the floor on his first night of freedom — because there were only five rooms available to the 10 detainees assigned to the Thornlie motel — the best part of his freedom so far is breakfast. “Tuna, noodles, fresh fruit. It’s been a long time,” he said excitedly. “Six years of eating chicken and beef every day. Not much else.” Amir, from Iraq, was brought to Australia by the United Nations in 2010 but had his permanent residency cancelled after he was convicted of common assault in 2019. Following a nine-month prison term, he spent almost four years in detention. “I haven’t seen my entire family since then. They’re all citizens,” Amir, 33, said. A few hours after he and the other detainees, believed to be the largest number of people ever released from immigration detention at once in WA, were dropped off at the motel about 3pm on Saturday, an advocate from MercyCare arrived and handed out $660 in cash to each of the men. The mass release of detainees across the country was triggered by the landmark decision on Wednesday, which saw the High Court rule that indefinite detention was unconstitutional — overturning a 20-year precedent. In light of the decision, Foreign Minister Penny Wong vowed community safety was the Government’s first priority. “Anyone who is released will be released on visas with strict conditions, and we are ensuring that the Australian Federal Police and Border Force are working closely with state and territory police to support community safety,” she told the ABC. “This is not the Government’s choice, this is a decision of the High Court of Australia, which any government is bound to follow.”

The West Australian exclusiveHow detainees released from WA’s Yongah Hill Detention Centre spent their first night of freedom

exclusive
How detainees released from WA’s Yongah Hill Detention Centre spent their first night of freedom