Protection Claim Statement

Statement I, Hassan Raza (Sunny), currently detained at the Melbourne Immigration Detention Centre, 120–150 Camp Road, Broadmeadows, VIC 3047, unemployed, make the following statement. THAT: I make this Statement in support of my protection claims and in response to the Department of Home Affairs' request for further information under section 56 of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth). I confirm that I continue to rely on my Statement dated 12 June 2026, which I previously submitted to the Department. In this Statement, I provide additional information about my gender identity, sexuality, and political opinion. If the Department requires any further information, I respectfully request that my interview be rescheduled so that I have the opportunity to explain my claims in person. An update on my current circumstances On 20 May 2026, I was placed in a male immigration detention facility, even though I am a transgender woman. Living in an all-male facility was very difficult for me. During this time, I could not access my medication for schizophrenia. I experienced bullying, harassment, and threats from other detainees. I felt very unsafe, and my mental health became worse. Because of these experiences and concerns about my safety, I reached the point where I considered calling 000 for police assistance. I did not receive my medication until about four weeks after entering immigration detention. On 18 June 2026, I was prescribed Quetiapine, an antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia. I also receive support from a psychiatrist and a counsellor while in detention. On 16 July 2026, after requesting to leave the all-male facility, I was transferred to the Broadmeadows Residential Precinct (BRP). This has improved my wellbeing because I can now see other transgender women, which makes me feel safer and more confident. I also feel more comfortable taking part in social activities because I can interact with other women. Although I feel better since the transfer, detention continues to affect my mental health and overall wellbeing. I have also been diagnosed with stage three haemorrhoids. I believe this condition is connected to the childhood sexual abuse that I described in my Statement dated 12 June 2026. 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1.

My gender identity as a transgender woman I am a transgender woman, and I prefer to be called Sunny. In Pakistan, I was not able to express my true gender identity or explore my femininity. Social expectations require boys to behave in masculine ways and girls to behave in feminine ways. When I was younger, I also did not have enough knowledge or understanding about transgender or gay identities. The year 2024 was very difficult for me. One reason was my employment in Australia. At that time, I presented as a man, but I felt unable to cope with the expectations of living and working as a man. In 2024, I advertised my services as a sex worker using platforms such as Grindr and Locanto. I also used other websites, but I cannot remember their names. I chose this work because I believed it matched my sexuality and personal preferences. Towards the end of 2025, or the beginning of 2026, while I was in Victoria Police custody, I realised that I did not identify as a biological man. This understanding developed through meeting transgender women in Australia and seeing that Australian society is more accepting of transgender and gay people. In 2024 or 2025, I met a transgender woman who lived openly and freely. Seeing her work, live, and openly express her gender had a strong impact on me. It was the first time I realised that a transgender person could live safely and openly. During my work as a sex worker, I also had sexual relationships with three other transgender people. These experiences showed me that transgender people could live safely in Australia. I present as a transgender woman because of my feminine body shape and physical appearance. During private sexual activity, I express myself in a feminine way. I avoid touching my male genitals because doing so helps me feel that I am living according to my female gender identity. I also have slender hands and fingers, which I personally associate with femininity. I believe my facial expressions, mannerisms, communication style, voice, and accent are also important parts of how I express my identity and how other people see me. Because I came to understand my gender identity while I was in police custody and immigration detention, I have not yet had the opportunity to live openly as a transgender woman in the Australian community. I have also not told anyone in Pakistan about my gender identity because I believe it would not be accepted. I have been honest about my identity as a transgender woman with Victoria Police, the Australian Border Force, and my solicitors. To receive support during my transition, I have been in contact with Rainbow Door and other organisations through referrals made by Beyond Bricks. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 2.

If I am forced to return to Pakistan, I do not believe I could live openly as a transgender woman. I fear that I would be mocked, bullied, harassed, humiliated, and physically harmed because of conservative social attitudes towards transgender people. My mental health As stated previously, I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia in Australia. I believe this condition was triggered by my childhood sexual abuse. Before my diagnosis, I did not know that I had schizophrenia and did not understand that my symptoms were signs of a mental illness. While I was in custody, my criminal lawyer informed my biological brother that I had experienced psychosis, had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and needed medication. I was not present during this conversation, so I do not know exactly how my brother responded. Since then, my brother has contacted me and has given me emotional support. Although medication for schizophrenia is available in Pakistan, I believe it may be difficult for me to access it consistently. If I cannot obtain my medication, I fear that my mental health will become worse, causing severe anxiety and stress, which may increase the risk of exposing my gender identity. I also do not believe that the same level of support for people with schizophrenia and transgender people is available in Pakistan as it is in Australia. I am also concerned that sharing personal information with mental health professionals in Pakistan could expose my gender identity. My political opinion I also fear persecution because I have publicly criticised and denounced the Ottoman Empire. I believe that the Ottoman Empire committed war crimes and genocide. I learned about these historical events through educational material provided by scholars on YouTube. On 6 August 2023, while I was in Pakistan, I sent emails to churches and cathedrals in Russia that included a peace proposal, an apology letter, and three other documents. On 2 May 2024, while I was in Australia, I sent a follow-up email. On 17 May 2024, I received a response in Russian. At first, I was pleased to receive a reply because I believed my message had been accepted. Later, I became worried that the response might have another meaning and that my personal information could be shared with others. This caused me significant anxiety and stress. I continue to research the actions of the Ottoman Empire. I am also considering legal action against the President of Türkiye. My religion I am a Muslim. I am continuing to study and understand the school of thought that I follow. I learn from Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza on YouTube, who speaks against sectarian violence. 12. 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 1. 3.

Based on my personal understanding and experience, I do not believe that my religion is a threat to my sexuality or gender identity. As a Muslim, I condemn all war crimes and genocide. I can provide further information if required. I understand that Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza has received threats and has been imprisoned because of his religious views. I fear that, because I sent an apology letter to organisations in Russia, I may also face persecution. Conclusion For the reasons explained in this Statement and in my Statement dated 12 June 2026, I respectfully ask Australia to grant me protection and recognise me as a refugee. I understand that a person who intentionally makes a false statement in a statutory declaration commits an offence under section 11 of the Statutory Declarations Act 1959. I believe that every statement in this declaration is true. Declarant's Signature: ____ Hassan Raza (Sunny) seereference.com@proton.me Before me: ____ 2. 3. 4. 1. 4.