Cameroon athletes were among the African competitors to go missing on the Gold Coast during the Commonwealth Games. The team is pictured here at the opening ceremony.
Five of the athletes who went missing from the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in April are seeking asylum in the Australian capital, Canberra.
The five athletes have applied for and been granted bridging visas, and remain in Australia lawfully. Their competition visas expired on Tuesday night.
The group is being assisted by a registered migration agent in the ACT, Liz Huang Hughes-Brown of Welcome Legal.
"They are in the process of cooperating with the Department of Home Affairs," Hughes-Brown said on Thursday.
"Australia has legal obligations not to return any individual to a country where he or she would face persecution or be at risk of significant harm," Hughes-Brown said.
She said the athletes had made claims for protection "which fall within the eligibility criteria for Australia to grant them protection".
The five athletes are among a group of competitors and coaches who went missing from the Games in April. Exact numbers of those that remain in Australia have not been confirmed. It is now believed to be more than 24.
The five athletes in Canberra are in the process of applying for protection visas, according to Hughes-Brown, a specialist in immigration and citizenship issues.
"The five athletes have lawful status, currently holding Bridging Visas A allowing them to live, work and study in the community while their claims to protection are being considered by Department of Home Affairs."
Hughes-Brown said she was calling on the department to grant the athletes protection visas as soon as possible so they could have some sense of security.
"They are a group of beautiful, gentle people and they're asking for our help to keep them safe," she said.
She hoped the department's decision would reflect what she believed was the sentiment among people of Canberra.
"The typical Canberran I know is understanding and compassionate, and I believe they would be supportive of the situation of these athletes. We hope the athletes will receive a favourable outcome from the department soon."
The Department of Home Affairs declined to answer questions about the case, referring the Sydney Morning Herald to an online statement issued on Wednesday.
"Visa overstayers are a common feature of many major international events," the statement reads.
"We will not be commenting on individual cases or providing running commentary on those remaining."
The department stated that the vast majority of individuals who came to Australia for the Commonwealth Games in April have already departed, but they are aware of some individuals that have remained.
"Some individuals have already applied for other visas. Those cases will be rigorously assessed in line with standard processes.
"For those who attempt to remain in the community without engaging with authorities, they should be aware that anyone in Australia without a valid visa will be subject to enforcement measures aimed at locating, detaining and removing them from Australia."
Border Force has set up a dedicated operation for the removal of Commonwealth Games athletes that have not made contact with authorities.