Barat Ali Batoor fled his homeland of Afghanistan in 2012 following death threats.
The photojournalist was targeted by warlords for his work and was forced to seek refuge in neighboring Pakistan, before trying to make it Australia.
Barat Ali Batoor fled Afghanistan in 2012. Source: SBS News
“That boat trip failed and our boat was sinking so we survived and we made it back to Indonesia where we were detained ,” he told SBS News.
“In detention we only spent a day and night and then I escaped from the detention centre.”
He eventually settled here in 2013 and has since won a Walkley Award - Australia’s highest gong for journalism - for his photography documenting his perilous journey.
As a talented photo journalist, Mr Batoor documted his journey. Source: Barat Ali Batoor
He’s also one of 50 refugees whose stories feature in Refugee Stories; In their Own Words, a collection of tales of hardship and loss - but also of hope and new beginnings.
Batoor said he wanted be part of this book to help break down some of the negative attitudes about refugees.
“A lot of time they are demonized and they are just numbers than actual humans,” he said.
“I think these first hand stories are important to give an actual picture to who these people are.”
Images from Mr Batoor's journey to Australia. Source: Barat Ali Batoor
Now-Melbourne resident Mirwais Janbaz’s story is also documented in the book.
He spent 20 years in Pakistan after fleeing Afghanistan with his family as a child and said he never felt a sense of belonging until arriving in Australia.
Mirwais Janbaz said he never felt he belonged until he arrived in Australia. Source: SBS News
“I feel what is happening here that a police woman is welcoming me with a smile. So it makes me feel very, very happy with that, so I feel more like home,” he said.
An accomplished artist, Mr Janbaz said he hopes his story will offer insight into the real lives of refugees.
“At least they can get a confident look at this person. Look at this man who saw lots of difficulties, instead of that he is moving forward,” he said.
As refugee numbers continue to skyrocket around the world, with an estimated 68.5 million in 2017, the book’s author, Laurie Nowell, said it’s more important than ever.
Author Laurie Nowell and the new book Refugee Stories: In their Own Words. Source: SBS News
Mr Nowell told SBS News Refugee Stories is a way to humanise the issue.
“Everybody has the same hopes, dreams and challenges,” he said.
“We’re fortunate in this country and we can afford to help people who have been displaced by conflict.”
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