Arad Nik advocates for thousands of refugees left in limbo, after receiving permanent visa

After being imprisoned and tortured in his home country, Arad Nik finally received freedom he has been fighting for, last year. Now he is advocating for the thousands of refugees left in limbo.

Iranian Refugee Arad Nik at Hobart Rivulet. Picture: Linda Higginson

After being imprisoned and tortured for being a minority in his home country, Arad Nik finally received the freedom he had been fighting for, last year.

The now 46-year-old, who is a Bedouin man from Southern Iran, was displaced with his family when war broke out in his country in the 1980s.

“We were forced to leave our own land and we became homeless and displaced for eight years,” he said.

“We move from place to place, country to country, village to village.

“When the war finished we tried to go back to old land but unfortunately the Sepah stole the land.

“They put my dad in prison for five years and after that I became an advocate for my minority.

“They arrested me and they tortured me four times during the five years I was imprisoned.”

Iranian Refugee Arad Nik at Hobart Rivulet. Picture: Linda Higginson

Once his prison sentence was up, Mr Nik fled his home to Southeast Asia, before coming to Christmas Island by boat.

“Some people ask me what’s the difference between prison and detention? In prison, you know when you’ll get released but in detention, you don’t know,” he said.

He spent about 20 months in detention before he was released into the community.

“That’s the problem with bridging visas, I didn’t have a job. I’m a pathologist but they don’t let me use my skills,” he said.

After settling in Perth, he created a business called Persia’s Pantry.

But his visa forced him to relocate to a regional centre where he moved to Tasmania at the start of the pandemic.

“Unfortunately, I was displaced here for another six months. I couldn’t find a place and I had to sleep in my small car,” he said.

After 11 years of fighting for freedom, Mr Nik was one of 19,000 refugees who received permanent residencies last year.

Tassie Nannas at the Big Walk 4 Refugees at Hobart Rivulet. Picture: Linda Higginson

“This is my dream. I have a safe place. I have a home. I have love and the space in my body and spirit,” he said.

“Public opinion about refugees, they think we are milking and seeking something but we are not. We are seeking freedom, a safer place. We are working hard. We are paying tax. We have an amazing potential to grow in this beautiful country.”

Mr Nik, alongside dozens of Tasmanians are walking in the Big Walk 4 Refugees, a virtual walk to show support for the tens of thousands of children, women and men who face uncertainty after not receiving permanent visas.