As the humanitarian crisis on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island deepens, one of the refugees detained there by Australia has been rescued by Canada.
As a detainee, Amir Taghinia was an outspoken advocate for his fellow refugees and a vocal critic of Australia's inhumane offshore detention regime.
And all the while a group of Canadian citizens was quietly working behind the scenes to bring him to safety.
Ben Robinson Drawbridge has more.
Amir Taghina with Wayne and Linda Taylor.
Photo: RNZI / Chelsea Taylor
Transcript
After fleeing religious persecution in Iran, Amir Taghinia made the mistake of seeking asylum in Australia.
Detained on Manus Island, his language skills earned him the moniker of teacher and made him a spokesman in the refugees' fight for freedom.
His leadership impressed Canadian/Australian dual national Chelsea Taylor, who worked for the healthcare provider at the detention centre in 2014.
Mr Taghinia learned of Canada's system of private sponsorship for refugees and he made contact with Ms Taylor after she had returned to Australia.
Wary of false hope Mr Taghinia quietly filled in the application using a decrepit mobile phone.
Having become something of a leader he was afraid of leaving the men now resisting eviction from the centre.
But failing health and no promise of remedy, convinced the 24 year old to board a flight for Canada last Thursday.
A dozen residents of Vancouver's Coquitlam provided the $US14 thousand required for the sponsorship and are now fundraising more money to support Mr Taghinia in his new home.
Ms Taylor says they have no doubt that Australia's shame will be Canada's gain.
Mr Taghinia says he'll continue to be an advocate for the refugees and asylum seekers Australia detains on Manus and Nauru.
Mr Taghinia says his family in Iran greeted news of his escape by singing the Canadian national anthem.
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