AustLit

Biography of an Iranian family fleeing religious and political persecution who were detained in the Woomera Detention Centre.

'Is the life of a child worth the price of freedom? To escape religious persecution in Iran, Zahra and Saeed Badraie made the heart-breaking decision to leave their home behind and find a better life for their family elsewhere. The agent they approached to help them flee told the Badraies that there was only one place the people smugglers could take them: Australia, a far away country, but a generous one that would give them refuge. After suffering the smugglers lies and deceit, and a voyage across dangerous seas in a small boat, Zahra, Saeed and their son Shayan arrived in Darwin. Instead of the welcoming country painted by the agent, the boat's refugees were transported to and interred at Woomera Detention Centre. Jacquie Everitt is a vocal campaigner against mandatory dentention of refugees and was instrumental in helping the Badraies gain refugee status. Lyrical, moving and shocking, The Bitter Shore is her account of the atrocious experiences of Zahra, Saeed and Shayan in Woomera and Villawood."--Provided by publisher.