An Iranian activist studying in Australia has just weeks left on her student visa and fears she will be executed if she returns to Iran because of her involvement in anti-regime protests. The 37-year-old, who uses the pseudonym Atefeh, fled Iran in 2023 after the paramilitary force fired bullets at her home during the 2022 Women, Life, Freedom protests.
Atefeh, who joined demonstrations in Tehran following the death of Mahsa Amini, says she is traumatised and cannot return. “There’s no way for me to go back right now. It’s too dangerous for me,” she said. Her criticism of the Islamic Republic on social media and participation in protests in Australia further endanger her.
The student originally planned to return after studying, hoping the regime would fall. However, the continuation of brutal crackdowns – with some estimates suggesting over 30,000 deaths – has dashed those hopes. With her visa expiring in mid-March, she is ineligible for a post-study graduate visa due to age restrictions introduced in July, which lowered the maximum eligible age from 50 to 35.
The Department of Home Affairs stated the change targets early career professionals. A spokesperson said the department monitors the situation in Iran and assesses visa applications on a case-by-case basis, noting that Australia does not return individuals to situations where they face danger if they are found to be refugees. Atefeh has struggled to sleep, saying, “All I want is a temporary visa.”
