During a recent visit to the QTU’s head office in Brisbane, where she was due to address a TRAPSA meeting, Mojgan presented the Union with a painting (pictured). The painting, which was entered for the 2015 Archibald prize, is by Chris Martin.

The Teachers for Refugees and People Seeking Asylum (TRAPSA) special interest group was formed following the 2015 QTU State Conference and supported jointly by the QTU and the Independent Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory Branch (IEU-Q&NT).

The QTU and TRAPSA have galvanised around the “Free Mojgan” campaign, set up in support of Mojgan Shamsalipoor, a young Iranian woman seeking asylum in Australia, whose case has been the subject of two recent ‘Australian Story’ programs. 

Campaigners are currently attempting to persuade Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to exercise his discretionary powers to allow Mojgan to remain in Australia with her Australian resident husband. Mojgan’s bridging visas will end in December and she will be forced to return to Iran where she faces likely incarceration or worse. See the “Free Mojgan” Facebook page for further information on Mojgan’s story. 

As part of this campaign QTU Conference resolved to support a speaking tour, allowing Mojgan to meet with students, teachers and other unionists in a number of regional and metropolitan settings across the state. These events will be designed around the Australian Curriculum with resource support (for teachers across the state to utilise) and will also be used to encourage members and others to take action to assist with the Free Mojgan campaign, such as making contact with the Minister. 

QTU Executive has endorsed a range of other strategies to assist with the campaign, including getting support from the Queensland Council of Unions to request that affiliated unions pledge that their members will not cooperate with the deportation or detention of Mojgan Shamsalipoor. Further events such as rallies and lobbying of other politicians will be conducted over the next few months.

TRAPSA is keen for even more QTU members to get involved in this important campaign. Please join us in this important work. To see the work and events that TRAPSA is/has been involved in, or to join this group, head to www.qtu.asn.au/trapsa