Expert: Djokovic should stand up for refugees – World – News – PRAVDA.sk

“I would say that Australians would not be pleased if Novak Djokovic played. In a way, it hangs in the air. Djokovic was very popular in Australia,” said Emily Foley, who deals with the functioning of political parties and migration. The specialist works at La Trob University in Melbourne, and Djokovic’s deportation from Australia was ruled on Sunday.

Novak Djokovic in the picture from January 13, when he was still training in Melbourne before the Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic’s fans argue that his case is political. And to some extent they are right. Even if Djokovic were simply released to Australia, the public would certainly comment on it. However, is it possible to say that his case is political in the sense that political calculations played a role in the decisions concerning the tennis player?

Politics has certainly been involved in the events surrounding Djokovic, although I do not think it has influenced court decisions. However, Djokovic’s lawyers tried to give the impression that the authorities did not sufficiently respect their client’s rights, that they did not approach his case fairly and tried to get him out of the country without having access to adequate legal aid. But Australia is wondering if others would have the same opportunities as a Serbian tennis player if they found themselves in a similar situation.

From your point of view, was there a violation when the unvaccinated Djokovic flew to Australia?

The tennis player ended up in a refugee hotel. Some of them spent years in it. Djokovic’s case looks like someone will get a judge to investigate his case in a few days, but others will have to wait a very long time. As for some bending of the rules, the two teams that considered Djokovic’s request for an exemption to come and attend the Australian Open did not know who it was. I wouldn’t see a problem with that. The main issue is the competence of the Minister for Immigration. Alex Hawke basically decided on Djokovic based on whether the tennis player acted with good intentions. The Serb had a positive covid test, but still took part in the photography. Is this proof that he did not show good character? One million percent can say that this is a very tricky situation and the whole world is watching it.

You said that Djokovic’s case was dealt with quickly by the court, although many asylum seekers did not get to Australia for years. But is it right to compare their situation with what the Serbian tennis player is dealing with? He just wanted to attend the Australian Open and then go home.

Yes, these are different situations. But this is not just about categorizing individual cases. The key to discussing the powers of the minister is crucial. He could decide on Djokovic and also deal with refugee cases. Australia’s policy is to discourage migrants, but it is unbelievable that they have to wait years for decisions. Yes, Djokovic’s case is different. However, asylum seekers should be subject to the same principles.

Iranian refugee Mehdi Ali is in the same detention hotel where Djokovic was placed. He wrote about his case on the social network Twitter: This country, its laws, media, people and politicians have allowed a 15-year-old person to be imprisoned for almost nine years without committing a crime. That is why we ask Novak Djokovic to become our lawyer. Of course, this is his decision, but should a tennis player use his influence to address this issue?

Mehdi Ali is great and speaks very accurately. People hope that Djokovic’s case will help draw attention to what is happening. I clearly believe that a tennis player should use his experience in the future to stand up for those who do not have the same opportunities as him and are essentially in endless custody. But I’m not sure he’ll do it, we haven’t heard anything from him yet. Well-known Australian sports commentator Craig Foster, who fights for refugee rights, called on Djokovic to talk about asylum seekers and refugees. It is possible that when things are solved around him, the tennis player will do it. I believe he will. That would be very important.

I’m not saying he wanted to, but Djokovic became a hero of the anti-vaccination movement for his stance on vaccination and is supported by part of the populist and far right. Should a Serbian tennis player distance himself from such supporters? Djokovic’s family, for example, has teamed up with Nigel Farage, who has contributed to Brexit and is a harsh critic of migration, by the way.

British tennis player Andy Murray told Farage if he remembered the moment he told Djokovic’s family that he had spent most of his political career trying to deport people from Eastern Europe. It was very interesting and raised further questions. Of course, it would be right to distance oneself from far-right groups that have a dangerous ideology. In Australia, however, it is less said that Djokovic is using the anti-vaccination movement. The main debate is how he could have gotten into the country when he is not vaccinated, because the Melbourne people have survived the longest uninterrupted lockdown in the world.

Djokovic claims that his team made a mistake on the visa form. Although he was positive, he met people. Would you let him play?

I’ve been thinking about what I’m going to tell you when you ask me, but I probably can’t give you a clear answer. At the Park Hotel detention, I saw protesting left-wing groups with posters: Send Djokovic away, release the refugees. I think that’s a bit of a problematic statement. As we have already mentioned, it is more a matter of being able to set up these processes in such a way that we understand how they work. The question of whether Djokovic should stay or go home to some extent distracts from the bigger problems. From the powers of the minister who can make the decision you ask me. Although it can be said that it can also be beneficial if someone can intervene in the migration process and, for example, issue refugees visas. We should focus on the debate on how to use these powers.

When I return to the political level of the case, the country will have elections on May 21 at the latest. Can what is happening around Djokovic affect their results?

The current coalition government, led by Liberal Party leader Scott Morrison, has taken several problematic steps during the pandemic. In the beginning we witnessed slow vaccination, now we are dealing with a lack of antigenic tests. Djokovic’s case has to some extent drawn attention to these issues. The question is also how voters explain the relatively slow reaction of the migration minister. Whether they see it as hesitation or perceive it as a system of strong border protection that ultimately works. In my opinion, Djokovic’s case will not be considered by voters as a separate issue, but rather within what he has revealed about other major election issues.

Are you a tennis fan, will you watch the Australian Open?

I love tennis. And I wondered what would happen if Djokovic came on board. I have to say that I didn’t think people would take to the streets for him, and I admit that I was completely wrong about this. I know this is not an observation based on any data, but I would say that Australians would not be pleased if Djokovic played. In a way, it hangs in the ground in the air. Djokovic was very popular in Australia (he won the Australian Open nine times, editor’s note), he was funny. They loved him like Djoker.

Do you have a favorite player?

I’m a fan of Andy Murray. But I have to mention Ash Barty. She is phenomenal and, of course, she is Australian. So, let’s go, Ash Barty!