Mary Anne Kenny
@maryannekenny.bsky.social
Associate Professor Law at Murdoch University. Interests refugee law, mental health of refugees and asylum seekers, human rights.
Pinned
👋Hello Bluesky! I work at Murdoch University School of law & Criminology. I teach and research in the area of refugee law, mental health of asylum seekers and human rights. I hope to build understanding of the impacts of laws and policies on the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
In case you missed it: “They treat us like criminals”: racism at the France-UK border | Haleemah Alaydi
“They treat us like criminals”: racism at the France-UK border - Free Movement
The dehumanising conditions facing refugees and asylum seekers in Calais, northern France, expose how racialised border practices including surveillance,
freemovement.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 12:31 PM
In case you missed it: “They treat us like criminals”: racism at the France-UK border | Haleemah Alaydi
Well said thank you for referencing ‘lethal hopelessness’ and giving an overall excellent answer evidence based response.
WATCH: The UK plans for refugee protection will harm people without achieving the govt's stated goals, according to the #auspol evidence, says
@danghez.bsky.social
on ABC News24.
youtu.be/d-6TCgMWgX8?... via
@YouTube
@danghez.bsky.social
on ABC News24.
youtu.be/d-6TCgMWgX8?... via
@YouTube
Kaldor Centre Director Daniel Ghezelbash on UK plans to restrict refugee status
YouTube video by UNSW Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law
youtu.be
November 18, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Well said thank you for referencing ‘lethal hopelessness’ and giving an overall excellent answer evidence based response.
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
WATCH: The UK plans for refugee protection will harm people without achieving the govt's stated goals, according to the #auspol evidence, says
@danghez.bsky.social
on ABC News24.
youtu.be/d-6TCgMWgX8?... via
@YouTube
@danghez.bsky.social
on ABC News24.
youtu.be/d-6TCgMWgX8?... via
@YouTube
Kaldor Centre Director Daniel Ghezelbash on UK plans to restrict refugee status
YouTube video by UNSW Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law
youtu.be
November 18, 2025 at 4:35 AM
WATCH: The UK plans for refugee protection will harm people without achieving the govt's stated goals, according to the #auspol evidence, says
@danghez.bsky.social
on ABC News24.
youtu.be/d-6TCgMWgX8?... via
@YouTube
@danghez.bsky.social
on ABC News24.
youtu.be/d-6TCgMWgX8?... via
@YouTube
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
🚨The Home Secretary said "illegal migration is dividing our country."
Let’s be clear: the only thing dividing our country is a politics devoid of humanity and compassion.
The plans announced today are a cruel political choice. It is #NotInOurName.
www.refugeewomen.co.uk/morally-and-...
1/🧵
Let’s be clear: the only thing dividing our country is a politics devoid of humanity and compassion.
The plans announced today are a cruel political choice. It is #NotInOurName.
www.refugeewomen.co.uk/morally-and-...
1/🧵
Women for Refugee Women : Morally and ethically bankrupt: Our response to the Government's announcement 17 November 2026
The Government has announced sweeping plans to overhaul refugee protection in the UK - some of the most hostile we have seen in recent years. We are outraged, saddened, and extremely concerned.
www.refugeewomen.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 1:54 PM
🚨The Home Secretary said "illegal migration is dividing our country."
Let’s be clear: the only thing dividing our country is a politics devoid of humanity and compassion.
The plans announced today are a cruel political choice. It is #NotInOurName.
www.refugeewomen.co.uk/morally-and-...
1/🧵
Let’s be clear: the only thing dividing our country is a politics devoid of humanity and compassion.
The plans announced today are a cruel political choice. It is #NotInOurName.
www.refugeewomen.co.uk/morally-and-...
1/🧵
Great commentary by @danghez.bsky.social from @kaldorcentre.bsky.social
This is a moment to take pride in our history of moral national action – and demand more humane policies for those continuing to seek refuge here.
As Australia welcomes its millionth refugee, its hardline border policies endure. We can lead by example again
theconversation.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Great commentary by @danghez.bsky.social from @kaldorcentre.bsky.social
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
“The current members of the Supreme Court, ten men and two women, all of them white, seem to regard the Human Rights Act as an unwelcome remnant of a past era.”
Prof Conor Gearty’s final essay in @lrb.co.uk is a painfully clear analysis of how the UK Supreme Court is depressing human rights norms.
Prof Conor Gearty’s final essay in @lrb.co.uk is a painfully clear analysis of how the UK Supreme Court is depressing human rights norms.
Conor Gearty · Unwelcome Remnant: Erasing the Human Rights Act
The Supreme Court is quietly editing the Human Rights Act out of existence. In cases where human rights cannot be...
www.lrb.co.uk
October 5, 2025 at 9:50 PM
“The current members of the Supreme Court, ten men and two women, all of them white, seem to regard the Human Rights Act as an unwelcome remnant of a past era.”
Prof Conor Gearty’s final essay in @lrb.co.uk is a painfully clear analysis of how the UK Supreme Court is depressing human rights norms.
Prof Conor Gearty’s final essay in @lrb.co.uk is a painfully clear analysis of how the UK Supreme Court is depressing human rights norms.
‘The recent expansion of detention and deportations reflects an accelerated criminalisation and punishment of non-citizens, tied to a rising authoritarianism across purportedly liberal Western countries.’ theconversation.com/around-the-w...
Around the world, migrants are being deported at alarming rates – how did this become normalised?
The US, UK and Australia are all expanding efforts to deport non-citizens, reframing the act of seeking asylum from a human right to a criminal act.
theconversation.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:00 PM
‘The recent expansion of detention and deportations reflects an accelerated criminalisation and punishment of non-citizens, tied to a rising authoritarianism across purportedly liberal Western countries.’ theconversation.com/around-the-w...
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
71.5% of current ICE detainees have no criminal convictions
tracreports.org/immigration/...
tracreports.org/immigration/...
September 26, 2025 at 10:42 PM
71.5% of current ICE detainees have no criminal convictions
tracreports.org/immigration/...
tracreports.org/immigration/...
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
More than 150 lawyers and refugee NGOs report being ‘pressured into silence’ by far-right protesters.
At least two groups supporting UK asylum seekers have closed their offices after credible threats to their safety
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
At least two groups supporting UK asylum seekers have closed their offices after credible threats to their safety
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
More than 150 lawyers and refugee NGOs report being ‘pressured into silence’ by far-right protesters
At least two groups supporting UK asylum seekers have closed their offices after credible threats to their safety
www.theguardian.com
September 22, 2025 at 6:32 AM
More than 150 lawyers and refugee NGOs report being ‘pressured into silence’ by far-right protesters.
At least two groups supporting UK asylum seekers have closed their offices after credible threats to their safety
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
At least two groups supporting UK asylum seekers have closed their offices after credible threats to their safety
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
Stories about cost-of-living often focus on Australians’ hip pockets. But what about the impact on our mental health? The National Mental Health Commission’s “report card” shows financial stress has taken a significant toll in recent years. theconversation.com/financial-st...
September 22, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Stories about cost-of-living often focus on Australians’ hip pockets. But what about the impact on our mental health? The National Mental Health Commission’s “report card” shows financial stress has taken a significant toll in recent years. theconversation.com/financial-st...
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
Read Lee's account in full
Horrors of Trump detention centre: Lisburn man tells his story after arrest for 'looking like a Mexican'
A Co Antrim man lifted by US immigration police on an American street — in an incident he compared to a kidnapping — and then sent to a detention centre has described being deported back to Northern I...
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
September 10, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Read Lee's account in full
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
We oppose the Government's Nauru arrangement and Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Bill 2025, that would allow for circumventing rules of natural justice and procedural fairness when deporting people to Nauru and other 3rd countries.
www.refugeecouncil.org.au/letter-nauru...
www.refugeecouncil.org.au/letter-nauru...
Our letter to Parliamentarians regarding arrangement with Nauru
The Refugee Council of Australia has written to Parliamentarians to express our opposition the Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Bill
www.refugeecouncil.org.au
September 2, 2025 at 2:02 AM
We oppose the Government's Nauru arrangement and Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2025 Measures No. 1) Bill 2025, that would allow for circumventing rules of natural justice and procedural fairness when deporting people to Nauru and other 3rd countries.
www.refugeecouncil.org.au/letter-nauru...
www.refugeecouncil.org.au/letter-nauru...
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
@maryannekenny.bsky.social and I have written a commentary unpacking the Australian government's new deal to send over 350 non-citizens from the NZYQ cohort to Nauru and the proposed laws to remove the requirement for procedural fairness of these decisions.
theconversation.com/by-sending-n...
theconversation.com/by-sending-n...
By sending non-visa holders to Nauru, Australia is shifting its responsibilities
The non-citizens in the NZYQ group cannot be returned to their country of origin. But sending them to Nauru just pushes the issue onto a poorer country.
theconversation.com
September 1, 2025 at 7:41 AM
@maryannekenny.bsky.social and I have written a commentary unpacking the Australian government's new deal to send over 350 non-citizens from the NZYQ cohort to Nauru and the proposed laws to remove the requirement for procedural fairness of these decisions.
theconversation.com/by-sending-n...
theconversation.com/by-sending-n...
A quick brief analysis of the ongoing arrangement to send people to Nauru, co-written with @lisa-vantoor.bsky.social theconversation.com/by-sending-n...
By sending non-visa holders to Nauru, Australia is shifting its responsibilities
The non-citizens in the NZYQ group cannot be returned to their country of origin. But sending them to Nauru just pushes the issue onto a poorer country.
theconversation.com
September 1, 2025 at 7:58 AM
A quick brief analysis of the ongoing arrangement to send people to Nauru, co-written with @lisa-vantoor.bsky.social theconversation.com/by-sending-n...
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
For decades now, public discourse about refugees and immigrants has become increasingly fractured, ugly and untrue. But just as government messaging has partly contributed to this situation, it could also help get us out of it. I explain how: theconversation.com/politicians-...
Politicians have scapegoated immigration for decades. It’s time to flip the script
Anti-immigration rallies across Australia are the culmination of years of political scaremongering. But better immigration messaging could change the trajectory.
theconversation.com
September 1, 2025 at 5:58 AM
For decades now, public discourse about refugees and immigrants has become increasingly fractured, ugly and untrue. But just as government messaging has partly contributed to this situation, it could also help get us out of it. I explain how: theconversation.com/politicians-...
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
By sending non-visa holders to Nauru, Australia is shifting its responsibilities, write Kaldor Centre PhD @lisa-vantoor.bsky.social and affiliate @maryannekenny.bsky.social – an important piece to help you understand what's at stake in parliament this week
theconversation.com/by-sending-n...
theconversation.com/by-sending-n...
By sending non-visa holders to Nauru, Australia is shifting its responsibilities
The non-citizens in the NZYQ group cannot be returned to their country of origin. But sending them to Nauru just pushes the issue onto a poorer country.
theconversation.com
September 1, 2025 at 6:47 AM
By sending non-visa holders to Nauru, Australia is shifting its responsibilities, write Kaldor Centre PhD @lisa-vantoor.bsky.social and affiliate @maryannekenny.bsky.social – an important piece to help you understand what's at stake in parliament this week
theconversation.com/by-sending-n...
theconversation.com/by-sending-n...
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
What happens to legal professionals when they are exposed to stories of fear, despair, mental distress from people of refugee background who an endure insecure and uncertain visa status? Here @maryannekenny.bsky.social explains.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/...
A Mixed Methods Inquiry into How Legal Professionals Respond to Recurring Trauma and Mental Distress among Refugees and Asylum Seekers with Insecure Visa Status in Australia
The aim of this study was to investigate how legal professionals in Australia responded to the mental distress experienced by clients with insecure visa status in the Fast Track Assessment (FTA) proc...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
August 1, 2025 at 11:17 AM
What happens to legal professionals when they are exposed to stories of fear, despair, mental distress from people of refugee background who an endure insecure and uncertain visa status? Here @maryannekenny.bsky.social explains.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/...
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
500+ Master’s scholarships available for African refugee and displaced students at 25+ universities worldwide www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/news/rlrh-la...
RLRH launches new round of Graduate Horizons application support scheme
www.rsc.ox.ac.uk
July 23, 2025 at 6:22 AM
500+ Master’s scholarships available for African refugee and displaced students at 25+ universities worldwide www.rsc.ox.ac.uk/news/rlrh-la...
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
“After years of criticizing universities for their supposed stifling of free speech, conservatives now in power are weaponizing anti-discrimination law to quash student protests and eliminate diversity initiatives.”
We must defend our rights to speak out against racism, genocide, and inequality.
We must defend our rights to speak out against racism, genocide, and inequality.
Universities are giving up the fight for free speech — students aren’t
“We don’t have the luxury of inaction.“
www.theverge.com
April 3, 2025 at 10:05 PM
“After years of criticizing universities for their supposed stifling of free speech, conservatives now in power are weaponizing anti-discrimination law to quash student protests and eliminate diversity initiatives.”
We must defend our rights to speak out against racism, genocide, and inequality.
We must defend our rights to speak out against racism, genocide, and inequality.
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
67 countries criminalise people for their sexual orientation, with punishments ranging from months behind bars to a life sentence. In some places, it's the death penalty. @maryannekenny.bsky.social www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07...
Refugee legal service reports spike in LGBTQIA+ clients who 'fear for their life'
The Tasmanian Refugee Legal Service (TRLS) is representing a growing number of LGBTQIA+ clients seeking asylum who fear persecution in their home country.
www.abc.net.au
July 4, 2025 at 11:22 PM
67 countries criminalise people for their sexual orientation, with punishments ranging from months behind bars to a life sentence. In some places, it's the death penalty. @maryannekenny.bsky.social www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07...
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
How to look after your mental health right now if you have family in the Middle East or another conflict zone theconversation.com/how-to-look-... @maryannekenny.bsky.social
theconversation.com
June 23, 2025 at 10:51 PM
How to look after your mental health right now if you have family in the Middle East or another conflict zone theconversation.com/how-to-look-... @maryannekenny.bsky.social
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
Online launch of the 'No Access to Justice 2' research is Monday 23rd June 2025 from 10 – 11am
Presentation of findings and opportunity for questions and discussion.
Register at events.teams.microsoft.com/event/798092...
Report is here: justice-together.org.uk/articles/no-...
Presentation of findings and opportunity for questions and discussion.
Register at events.teams.microsoft.com/event/798092...
Report is here: justice-together.org.uk/articles/no-...
‘No Access to Justice 2’: Mapping the UK’s continuing immigration and asylum legal advice crisis – A report by Jo Wilding, June 2025 – Justice Together
justice-together.org.uk
June 13, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Online launch of the 'No Access to Justice 2' research is Monday 23rd June 2025 from 10 – 11am
Presentation of findings and opportunity for questions and discussion.
Register at events.teams.microsoft.com/event/798092...
Report is here: justice-together.org.uk/articles/no-...
Presentation of findings and opportunity for questions and discussion.
Register at events.teams.microsoft.com/event/798092...
Report is here: justice-together.org.uk/articles/no-...
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
Some research I led was published today by the Australian Institute of Family Studies.
It's about refugees in the Australian economy, based on a longitudinal survey (6 waves over 10 years) of 2,000+ refugees from places like Iraq, Afghanistan and Myanmar.
Check it out (links follow):
It's about refugees in the Australian economy, based on a longitudinal survey (6 waves over 10 years) of 2,000+ refugees from places like Iraq, Afghanistan and Myanmar.
Check it out (links follow):
June 11, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Some research I led was published today by the Australian Institute of Family Studies.
It's about refugees in the Australian economy, based on a longitudinal survey (6 waves over 10 years) of 2,000+ refugees from places like Iraq, Afghanistan and Myanmar.
Check it out (links follow):
It's about refugees in the Australian economy, based on a longitudinal survey (6 waves over 10 years) of 2,000+ refugees from places like Iraq, Afghanistan and Myanmar.
Check it out (links follow):
Reposted by Mary Anne Kenny
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for an independent inquiry into the mass shooting of Palestinians.
UN demands probe as Israeli forces kill more people near aid site in Gaza
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for an independent inquiry into the mass shooting of Palestinians.
bit.ly
June 2, 2025 at 9:30 PM
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for an independent inquiry into the mass shooting of Palestinians.