When asylum seekers looked to an affluent Australia for hope, it was disappointing to see some were treated with “hatred” and weren’t even allowed to set foot on its shores, said activist Malala Yousafzai.

Yet when the Taliban came for Ms Yousafzai’s family in Pakistan, her family was given sanctuary by friends, family, strangers, true to the country’s culture of welcoming those in need.

“Australia is a welcoming and warm country. And when you look at the immigration policies, they do not actually represent the people of Australia,” she said.

“[Refugees] want safety, they want homes, they want somebody to give them protection, and then suddenly you welcome them with hatred,” she said.

“You do not even allow them to land or step their feet on Australia,” she said referring to the offshore processing of asylum seekers. “So I think it is disappointing and I hope that the people of Australia do stand up for refugees and show their true human-side.”

via ‘You welcome them with hatred’: Malala’s disappointment at Australia