The issue
We, the undersigned voters of Bruce, and Australians who value truth, inclusivity and respect call on the Liberal Party of Australia to immediately dis-endorse Zahid Safi as the party’s candidate and/or for Safi to apologise and withdraw his candidacy for the upcoming federal election
This call to action is prompted by Safi’s involvement in co-authoring a 2021 submission to the parliamentary inquiry into Australia’s involvement in the Afghanistan (submission 43) war. The submission perpetuates harmful and racist tropes about Hazara people, and denies the well-documented fact that Hazara people in Afghanistan face persecution based on their ethnicity.
Bruce is one of the most culturally diverse regions in the country, home to people of many ethnic and religious backgrounds who contribute to a thriving, inclusive community.
Safi’s submission runs counter to the core multicultural values that define both the Bruce electorate and Australia as a whole.
Relevantly, Bruce is also home to one of the largest Hazara populations in Australia.
Safi has had over 3 years to correct the record, and apologise to the Hazara people for attempting to erase their lived experience. He has not done so.
And when asked by the media, he has doubled down. No apology. No remorse.
A candidate who denies the lived experiences of persecuted ethnic group, and perpetuates racist tropes cannot credibly represent such a constituency, nor uphold the principles of equity, compassion, and respect that are central to a multicultural community.
Impact on the community
Safi’s submission is an attempt to erase the lived experience and realities of Hazara people who have never known safety in Afghanistan and under the current Taliban rule continue to be subjected to systemic discrimination, targeted killings and persecution in Afghanistan.
Most recently the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan who stated that attacks “targeting Hazaras seems to be widespread and systematic and bears the hallmarks of international crimes.”
The prospect of an individual who has denied the lived experiences of Hazara people holding public office, and representing an electorate with one of the highest Hazara population in Australia has caused significant distress and has increased the feeling of marginalization in the community.
Call to Action
There is no place in Australia for racism, especially from those seeking public office, in one of the most multicultural parts of the country.
Given the gravity of these actions, Safi’s continued lack of remorse and apology and their impact on our community, we, the undersigned, demand that :
- The Liberal Party of Australia immediately dis-endorse Zahid Safi as the party’s candidate for Bruce in the forthcoming federal election; and/or
- Zahid Safi must apologise and withdraw his candidacy.
Leave a Reply