"Our lives are broken, please tell the world what is happening to us" - Refugee detained in Australia for 9 years calls on Novak Djokovic to help
Mohammed Joy, who has been detained in Australia for nine years, recorded a video pleading with Novak Djokovic to come to the aid of refugees.
Joy is currently detained in Melbourne, and lives in the same facility (Park Hotel), where Djokovic was housed for close to five days after his visa was canceled. However, the World No. 1 walked free on Monday after the court overturned the visa cancelation.
The Serb's cause was helped by the fact that he managed to secure a trial within hours of being detained, which was not the case with refugees like Joy.
In the video, which was uploaded to Twitter by Craig Foster, the refugee first expressed his delight at Djokovic gaining freedom. He then shed light on the plight of himself and other refugees, revealing how they were being mistreated and not given suitable food or medical treatment.
"Mr. Djokovic, we wish you well and are pleased that you are free," Joy said. "Although we have been imprisoned for nine years, we don't wish to see anyone imprisoned alongside us. You have seen firsthand how Australians treat us, although we are innocent refugees. Our food is disgusting, we have no medical treatment."
‘Mr @DjokerNole
We wish you well & are pleased you are free after 4 days although we are imprisoned more than 3,000.
Please tell the world about us.
And Aust and international media, keep asking questions, it is our only hope.’
Mohammed Joy
Refugee
9 yrs detained. #Djokovic https://t.co/8U9rwBwSon
Stressing how their mental health had taken a hit, Joy pleaded with Djokovic to "tell the world" about their deplorable situation in a desperate cry for help.
"Our mental health is severely affected. Our lives are broken," Joy added. "We are happy that you could get out in 4 days although we are still here after more than 3,000 days. Please tell the world what is happening to us. And to the Australian and International media, please keep asking questions, they are our only hope."
Novak Djokovic could boost his battered image by coming to the aid of refugees like Joy
Novak Djokovic's global image has taken a severe beating in recent weeks for a number of reasons. Firstly, Djokovic was reported to have attended public events after testing positive for COVID-19. He also participated in a photoshoot interview with L'Equipe on 18 December.
The World No. 1 apologized for his actions in a recent social media post. He also revealed that one of his agents erred while filling out his travel declaration form.
In one of the Serb's forms, it was wrongly mentioned that he did not travel to any country in the 14 days before flying to Australia. He had, in fact, traveled to Spain before flying to Melbourne.
There also remains the fact that the nine-time Australian Open champion is unvaccinated against COVID-19. This has irked many fans, especially Australians who have suffered the harshest restrictions throughout the pandemic.
As such, by helping refugees like Joy, Novak Djokovic could redeem his image, but more importantly, contribute positively to society.