Working closely with his mother, Mahboba Rawi, and Principal Solicitor Sarah Dale from the Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS), along with Australian volunteers and staff in Afghanistan, Nawid Cina successfully evacuated over 100 vulnerable women and children from Australian-run orphanages in Afghanistan when the Taliban seized control in 2021. These orphanages, established over 25 years by Mahboba’s Australian charity, Mahboba’s Promise, had an inherent Australian connection, which put the lives of those residing there at significant risk from the Taliban.
Nawid, Sarah, and Mahboba embarked on a relentless 12-month journey filled with unending campaigning, lobbying, advocacy, and an avalanche of paperwork. This period was fraught with challenges and trauma, but it was also a testament to human resilience and the unyielding fight for justice.
A graduate of the College of Law, Nawid earned a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies at the University of Technology, Sydney. His professional journey included roles as a paralegal with MillsOakley, practical legal training with RACS, and working with Elizabeth Broderick at the Champions of Change Coalition. Later, he assumed senior management positions with Mahboba’s Promise.
Nawid’s outstanding humanitarian work was recognized when he was awarded the Australian Human Rights Medal in 2022. He also co-founded the ‘Future Leaders for Gender Equality’ student program, emphasizing the importance of empowering the next generation to champion gender equality.
But Nawid’s story is not just about accolades; it’s about the transformative impact of grassroots activism and legal acumen. Nawid and his team navigated bureaucratic obstacles, relentless lobbying, and the political complexities of evacuating vulnerable lives from a war-torn country. They achieved the seemingly impossible.
Nawid reflects on his journey, stating, “What we’re talking about is pushing the government to make a policy decision that resulted in what seems to be the largest number of unaccompanied children evacuated in our history in one go. But to do this from a legal and policy perspective was literally moving mountains.”
In the labyrinth of bureaucracy, Nawid emphasizes the importance of keeping the focus on humanity. He explains how decision-makers, driven by processes and applications, often lose sight of the human element. “But humanity is the most important thing. We’re in this weird twilight zone where no one talks about what’s important,” says Nawid. He highlights the role of lawyers in shaping and influencing policy, translating the reality on the ground to align with decision-makers’ priorities.
The crisis in Afghanistan unfolded rapidly when the Taliban regained power in August 2021, prompting a two-week evacuation frenzy by Western countries. By September, the airports had closed, and chaos reigned. Nawid’s initial efforts to contact the Department of Foreign Affairs revealed the extent of the turmoil. He realized that the situation was “utter chaos,” and no one knew how to evacuate people.
The challenge was to get the children to the Kabul airport for evacuation, which required visas. Nawid’s tireless efforts to obtain government authorization were met with challenges. “My whole task, while the airport was open, was trying to get a government official to provide some form of written go-ahead. The security agency made up of US, Australian, and Kiwi veterans said they would take the children on a plane and open the gates if we could get a visa or letter from the government. But the letter never came.”
Nawid and his team adapted to the complexities of the visa application process and pursued a unique approach. As they worked through the visa process, the scenes at the airport grew increasingly distressing. They managed to secure visas for 17 orphans and successfully evacuated them via the Pakistan border.
However, the challenges intensified when they attempted to move the remaining women, children, and charity workers. The situation had deteriorated dramatically, and the team’s efforts to secure their safety faced tremendous obstacles.
Nawid’s determination and grassroots activism moved mountains. His proximity to the crisis in Afghanistan played a pivotal role in shaping the government’s response. “Being on the ground, close to the issue, changed everything,” Nawid explains. “In the end, being there and working with Sarah to communicate to the government what was happening just made it clear we could not find safety for these children. It was around that time I got the call from Sarah that 91 visas were on the minister’s desk. I couldn’t believe it.”
Once the visas were granted, Nawid stayed in Central Asia for another six weeks to coordinate the evacuation. The situation became even more complex as the usual route through Pakistan had closed, requiring passports and visas under Taliban rule. Lobbying the Australian government to influence Pakistan’s Minister of Interior and navigating treacherous borders were additional challenges.
Nawid’s commitment to the cause was unwavering. Although they saved 17 orphans, many women and children remained behind, facing dire circumstances. The evacuation was far from a clean process, but Nawid’s resilience, his mother’s dedication, and the collective efforts of staff and volunteers at Mahboba’s Promise made it a reality.
Nawid’s journey highlights the immense impact lawyers can have in pursuing human rights, advocating for change, and saving lives. He encourages aspiring human rights lawyers to go beyond the conventional path and consider pro bono work, volunteering for NGOs, and actively contributing to causes they are passionate about.
In Nawid’s words, “Our profession provides us with an incredible ability to give back, and it’s a shame if we don’t use that opportunity.” He calls on lawyers to recognize the power of their legal training and leverage it to drive positive change in the world.
