Sahema Saberi is the definition of resilience. Originally from Afghanistan, she is her family’s first university graduate and lawyer. She is also winner of the National Youth Award (2013), interned at the Australian Mission to the United Nations and co-founder of a student organisation to assist newly arrived refugees, asylum seekers and migrants settle into the Australian education system. Most recently, Sahema was awarded the College of Law’s prestigious Kay Smith Scholarship. Insights spoke to Sahema about her study, community work, and ambitions as a lawyer.
“My parents have never been to school themselves,” said Sahema. “My family is thrilled because I am the first university graduate and the first-ever lawyer in our extended family, finishing studies from Australia’s top university.
Speaking up for the persecuted
Sahema is ethnic Hazara, a community that has suffered notable ethnic persecution from extremists in Afghanistan and more recently, Pakistan.
“Seeing how little attention was paid by authorities to the plight of my ethnic community members, I felt that communities like mine need legal advocates and representatives who can speak up for them,” said Sahema. This is what drove her to the law, particularly international and human rights law.
“I have always felt strongly about issues of human rights abuses around the world,” Sahema said. “ I know I have the capacity to make a positive change in the field with my knowledge, passion and personal experience.
Knowing the limits of the law
Learning how justice systems work around the world and how countries differ in their approaches to the law can be revealing.
“It’s interesting to see what fairness looks like to people of different social backgrounds,” observed Sahema. “Particularly the limitations of the law, and the social gaps the justice system cannot fill.”
Civilian Protection Post Conflict, a subject in her Juris Doctor, was especially telling.
Once qualified, Sahema hopes to work in human rights law - both at a local and international level.
“I want to work at an organisation where I can make some solid contribution,” said Sahema. “A work environment where the ethnic persecution experience allows me to better connect with people and advocate for them. An organisation that sees my experiences and my differences as part of the strong woman I have become today.”
Currently, Sahema works with refugees to provide legal advice. Without her and the free legal services of her organisation, her clients would be left without any legal support. “Through my work at the Refugee Legal, I not only help provide legal help, but I represent former refugees like myself,” said Sahema. “Refugees who in various professions contribute to the Australian community at large. “
Struggles make you stronger and wiser
For those aspiring to the law from less advantageous backgrounds, Sahema counsels persistence.
“Know that your struggles are part of a process that will make you a stronger and wiser version of your current self, but look after your mental health,” advised Sahema. “Do not let your financial and personal circumstances hinder you from your academic and personal goals.”
“I started school in year 9 in Australia. It took me awhile to become comfortably conversing in English. It took me a long time to become comfortable understanding basic English conversation. With little financial support, I worked hard to finish school. In my school, I was one of twenty Year 12 students (out of a total of 408) who had an ATAR above 80,” she said.
Upon graduation from the University of Melbourne with first class honours research in Science, Sahema was offered the opportunity to study medicine in the UK. Instead, she chose the Juris Doctor.
“The Juris Doctor allows me to contribute to legal and social areas I have always felt strongly about,” said Sahema. “It was a difficult choice to abandon a dream of becoming a medical doctor, but it has been worth the effort.”