About us

LinCon is a humanitarian project based in Melbourne, Australia, dedicated to quietly assisting forcibly displaced people. The name LinCon is a semi abbreviation for “Links and Consolidation of Networks”. We create links between forcibly displaced people and organisations, communities and government agencies in safe haven countries such as Australia and Canada. Our goal is to come up with sustainable solutions that will give these people opportunities for a better future. We believe that in return, these people will contribute positively to host countries by working in areas that are in need of labour due to human resources shortages.

What makes LinCon different? We specialise in representing forcibly displaced people who have been rejected refugee status by the UNHCR on the basis of technicality rather than disingenuity. LinCon focuses on a cohort of people exposed to a specific form of oppression, developing an expertise around the types of cases presented. Currently, LinCon represents Pakistani minority groups oppressed by the misuse of blasphemy laws. We research their cases, compile documentation, and refer them to special agencies in Canada.

LinCon faces several challenges: finance for processing asylum seeker cases, making governments and communities aware of the issues, involving skilled people in this cause, and providing employment opportunities to asylum seekers. Our goal for the next year is to resettle at least 25 families to welcoming countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

FR Arnold's arrest in Karachi

LinCoN Co-Founder - Fr Arnold Heredia

Fr Arnold Heredia, is a human rights activist was a founding member of Idara-e-Amn-o-Insaf (Justice and Peace Commission) and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. His high-profile advocacy for victims of the blasphemy laws forced him to leave Pakistan.

Fr Arnold was arrested and jailed along with other minority leaders for protesting at a public place in Karachi against the misuse of blasphemy laws. He was compelled to flee to Australia in 2001 to ward off the probability of a blasphemy case being foisted on him. He periodically received appeals for rehabilitation from Pakistanis, who fled the country to escape being imprisoned or lynched by militants due to the blasphemy laws. As the numbers of such cases increased, Fr Arnold co-founded Links & Consolidation Network (LinCoN) in 2017, to address the challenges faced by families who fled to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

LinCoN is registered as an Australian charitiable organisation and affiliated to the Catholic Social Sevices of Victoria. It is independantly governed by a Board of Directors, with activities coordinated by our CEO, Margaret Hamilton.

Support LinCoN's mission

Your support can make a real difference in the lives of asylum seekers. By donating or volunteering, you can help us provide the resources and expertise needed to resettle families and create brighter futures. Join us in making a positive impact. You can donate by paying into LinCoN bank account, details are below:

Name: Linked & Consolidation Network

BSB: 083347

Account No: 763877599