[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.63,0:00:16.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hello everyone.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.79,0:00:18.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My name is Behrouz Boochani.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.28,0:00:23.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some of you will know me;\Nsome of you will not.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:23.90,0:00:26.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I am a Kurdish novelist and journalist.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.78,0:00:29.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In May 2013, I fled Iran
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.76,0:00:34.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because of my journalism \Nand cultural activities.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:34.21,0:00:38.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I traveled to Australia by boat, \Nbut never arrived.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.47,0:00:43.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was exiled to Manus Island \Nalongside 1,000 other people.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:44.64,0:00:47.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Manus Island is a remote tiny island
Dialogue: 0,0:00:47.63,0:00:52.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the north of Papua New Guinea, PNG,\Nin the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:52.66,0:00:54.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is my story:
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.58,0:00:59.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A man who left his country\Nbecause he didn't want to live in prison.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.16,0:01:07.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A man who sought asylum,\Nbut ended up in a prison for six years.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.53,0:01:11.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My story is the same\Nas 2,000 other innocent people.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:12.12,0:01:14.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,People who have been in prison
Dialogue: 0,0:01:14.86,0:01:19.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in Manus and Nauru\Nfor seeking asylum in Australia.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:19.66,0:01:23.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My story is only one of many stories\Nin these two islands.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:24.29,0:01:28.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When they exiled us to Manus in 2013,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:28.08,0:01:32.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we found ourselves in a place \Nthat was worse than a prison.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:33.70,0:01:37.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We were deprived from having\Naccess to many things.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.88,0:01:41.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Basic things, including having a phone.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.42,0:01:45.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For four and a half years,\Nwe were living in this prison
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.51,0:01:50.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with metal fences and guards,\Nand with much deprivation.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:51.15,0:01:53.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At the end of 2017,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:53.40,0:01:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we were forcibly moved from that prison\Nto other compounds on Manus Island.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:00.54,0:02:05.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So the history of our life here\Nis in two parts:
Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.79,0:02:09.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The closed prison and now the compounds
Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.72,0:02:13.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which have fences around them and guards,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.05,0:02:19.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but we are allowed to move\Naround the island during the day.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:20.43,0:02:24.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Although we have been moved \Nfrom the first prison,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:25.04,0:02:26.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we are still in a prison,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.71,0:02:27.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a bigger prison,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:27.87,0:02:29.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,an island prison.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:29.79,0:02:34.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After three and a half years,\Nthe PNG Supreme Court ruled
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.30,0:02:38.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that keeping innocent people\Nin prison is illegal
Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.12,0:02:41.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and deprived us of our human rights.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:42.50,0:02:46.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It also ruled that we\Nshould have access to phones.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:47.27,0:02:49.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This was a big achievement.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.52,0:02:52.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Before that, I had smuggled\Na phone into the prison
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.87,0:02:56.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by exchanging my clothes,\Nshoes, and cigarettes
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.72,0:02:59.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with a local man who was working\Ninside the prison,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:59.86,0:03:03.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I started to communicate\Nwith the outside world,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:03.07,0:03:05.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with people such as journalists.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.58,0:03:12.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The guards would sometimes\Nattack our rooms, looking for phones.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:12.92,0:03:17.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Twice they found my phone and took it,\Nand I had to smuggle another phone.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.95,0:03:21.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This happened to many of us here,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:21.79,0:03:26.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so it was not easy to communicate\Nto the outside world.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.08,0:03:30.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I didn't feel safe\Nwith the authorities and guards,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.78,0:03:35.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that's why I worked under a fake name\Nfor more than two years.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:36.43,0:03:39.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When I became sure that I had made
Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.28,0:03:45.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a strong network of journalists\Nand supporters internationally,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:45.17,0:03:50.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I decided it was safe to publish\Nmy work under my real name.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.68,0:03:55.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For me, writing has always been\Nan act of resistance.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.57,0:04:00.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In this situation on Manus, \Nit is still my resistance.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.76,0:04:07.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The system that operates this prison \Naimed to reduce us to numbers,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.61,0:04:13.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to remove our individuality, \Nand destroy our identity.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.58,0:04:18.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For me, writing and creating \Nis a way of fighting
Dialogue: 0,0:04:18.75,0:04:23.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to get my identity, humanity,\Nand dignity back,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.58,0:04:29.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in front of a cruel system\Nthat is established to take anything
Dialogue: 0,0:04:29.51,0:04:33.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that has meaning of life from us.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:33.50,0:04:38.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In Manus, I soon found\Nthat the language of journalism
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.47,0:04:43.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is not able to describe\Nthe systematic torture that we are under
Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.93,0:04:46.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the life in Manus prison camp.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.40,0:04:50.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The language of journalism \Nis a kind of language
Dialogue: 0,0:04:50.94,0:04:56.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that is part of the power structures \Nthat I am fighting against.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.57,0:04:59.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How can I describe six years\Nliving in exile
Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.92,0:05:03.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in one of the worst prisons in the world?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.12,0:05:05.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Twelve people have died already.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:05.64,0:05:10.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For so many people who have heard \Nabout people in Manus and Nauru
Dialogue: 0,0:05:10.35,0:05:13.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we are reduced to some simple pictures.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.41,0:05:16.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But we are human.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.11,0:05:18.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We exist.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:18.91,0:05:20.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we are suffering.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:20.96,0:05:24.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We are human, same as you.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.61,0:05:27.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How can I describe a father's suffering
Dialogue: 0,0:05:27.53,0:05:32.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who is separated from his wife\Nand children for six years?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.44,0:05:38.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How can I describe a mother witnessing \Nher small kids growing up for six years
Dialogue: 0,0:05:38.74,0:05:40.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a prison camp?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.54,0:05:44.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How can I describe a young man\Nwho was full of life,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.31,0:05:49.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but has lost opportunity\Nto continue his education,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:49.25,0:05:54.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to find love, has lost his health,\Nhis family, his hope,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:54.92,0:06:00.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has lost many opportunities \Nthat you take for granted?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.16,0:06:04.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That is why I have worked for years\Nto tell this story,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:05.17,0:06:07.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,through creative and literary language.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:08.21,0:06:11.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That is why I wrote a novel on my phone
Dialogue: 0,0:06:11.96,0:06:14.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and sent it, text by text,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:14.26,0:06:18.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,through WhatsApp\Nto my translator in Australia.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:18.39,0:06:20.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Language is important.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.46,0:06:24.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You will notice I call\Nthis place a prison,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:24.74,0:06:25.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Manus prison,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:25.85,0:06:28.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not an offshore processing center.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:28.90,0:06:35.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Naming this prison as a prison \Nshows the lies of government language.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.58,0:06:42.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It helps us to understand\Nthe structural and systematic torture
Dialogue: 0,0:06:42.39,0:06:44.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of Australia's detention regime.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:44.100,0:06:47.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Part of creating my own language
Dialogue: 0,0:06:47.72,0:06:53.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is to fight against the commodification\Nand objectification of our pain.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:54.48,0:07:00.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It is a deep part of this system \Nthat imprisons and tortures us.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:00.90,0:07:07.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I know that people who participate in TEDx\Nshare their inspiring life and perspective
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.38,0:07:09.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to create a way for others.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:09.64,0:07:15.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, for me, as a person,\Nwho is still struggling
Dialogue: 0,0:07:15.41,0:07:20.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,alongside hundreds of innocent people\Nagainst this system,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:20.98,0:07:22.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what can I say?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:23.20,0:07:27.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How can I inspire people \Nwhile still I am not sure
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.42,0:07:29.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if I will survive or not.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:30.11,0:07:35.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I am really sorry, \Nsorry that I make you uncomfortable,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.29,0:07:39.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I think that I don't have a choice\Nother than to make you uncomfortable
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.06,0:07:42.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because this is my story.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:42.26,0:07:45.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm a kind of person who was born in war,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:45.90,0:07:50.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have had the life full of adventures,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.70,0:07:54.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've experienced homelessness, poverty,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:54.75,0:07:59.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and sometimes the luxury\Nof an income and a home.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:00.23,0:08:02.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have met many kinds of people,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:02.63,0:08:05.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I experienced amazing love,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:05.73,0:08:09.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and of course, \NI have many stories to share.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:09.29,0:08:13.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, I think I don't have this right \Nto talk about myself
Dialogue: 0,0:08:13.82,0:08:16.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while many people are suffering\Nin these two islands.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:16.96,0:08:23.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I don't know, perhaps, one day, \Nwhen I am a free man,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:24.74,0:08:29.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I will be invited to talk with people \Nabout other experiences -
Dialogue: 0,0:08:29.30,0:08:34.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about love, life, and the meaning of life.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.44,0:08:41.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I don't know, perhaps, \Nif I smoke less, I will survive.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:42.36,0:08:43.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I smoke too much.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:44.30,0:08:47.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For now, I must write and talk
Dialogue: 0,0:08:47.42,0:08:53.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because there are still 500 people\Nwith me in prison on Manus Island.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:53.17,0:08:55.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There are still hundreds on Nauru .
Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.65,0:08:58.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We are still in prison.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:59.02,0:09:02.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have the tool of language, of writing.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:04.04,0:09:06.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not easy to write from here.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:06.71,0:09:10.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It costs me a lot.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.73,0:09:17.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I fight to write and hope \Nthat people actually read my words closely
Dialogue: 0,0:09:17.84,0:09:21.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and engage deeply with them.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:21.57,0:09:22.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the end, my wish
Dialogue: 0,0:09:22.78,0:09:26.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that people in Nauru and Manus\Nreach their freedom soon.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:28.09,0:09:29.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you
Dialogue: 0,0:09:29.30,0:09:32.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)