When Deo Nuyu arrived in Australia as a student five years ago, he thought he had found safe haven.
His homeland, the tiny central African country of Burundi, was rapidly descending into strife with Mr Nuyu suffering repeated threats due to his political beliefs.
Over the past five years the situation has worsened, with more than 250,000 people fleeing the country as it teeters on the brink of civil war. The Department of Foreign Affairs warns Australians not to travel to Burundi due to the "high level of violence".
Fearing for his life, Mr Nuyu asked for a protection visa to allow him to stay in Australia but his application was refused and a series of appeals were unsuccessful.
A last ditch request for intervention by Immigration Minister Peter Dutton failed in May and Mr Nuyu has been advised to leave Australia, with advocate Emmanuel Musoni warning: "Returning a Burundian citizen to their country of origin is like returning a lamb to a den of lions. He is most likely to face an imminent danger of death."
Mr Nuyu, a member of the Tutsi ethnic minority and activist with the opposition political party, has learned of the murders of friends and family members due to their ethnic background and political beliefs. His siblings have fled the country and his mother is in hiding.
"I am known there as a member of a political party and a member of a minority group," he said. "All these things have led me to fear what will happen if I am forced to go back. I could be detained, put in jail or killed. They don't care about the life of someone."
The 39-year-old, who worked as a senior public servant before leaving Burundi, has settled in Sydney's south west where he shares a home with four other men.
Over the past five years in Sydney he has volunteered with a number of community groups while working as a cleaner, dish washer, forklift driver and catering packer for Qantas while eligible on his student visa.
"At first it was not easy to meet new people and make friends but now I feel very settled here," he said. "I would like to stay in Australia because it is a safe place."
A number of supporters, including Sydney's Anglican community, Labor stalwart Laurie Ferguson and his federal MP Chris Hayes, have asked Mr Dutton to re-consider Mr Nuyu's case.
The Great Lakes Agency for Peace and Development, a group which assists the African community in Australia, has also appealed to Mr Dutton, warning: "The great worry we have is the imminent loss of life for such a selfless personality."
The Liverpool South Anglican Church has launched a change.org petition to support Mr Nuyu stating: "We reject the decision made by the Government and ask them to stop sending desperate people away from our country because it is 'economically convenient'."
Liverpool South Anglican Church rector Manoj Chacko is hosting an event to support Sydney's Burundian community on Saturday, saying he still hopes Mr Nuyu can obtain a protection visa.
"We stand together to support Deo," he said.
A Department of Immigration and Border Protection spokeswoman confirmed My Nuyu's application for a protection visa had been refused and his request for ministerial intervention was unsuccessful.
"The Minister's public interest powers are intended for unique or exceptional circumstances only," she said
"Many requests are received each year and a relatively small number of visas are granted where a Minister decides that it is in the public interest to do so.
"When a person has exhausted all remaining avenues to remain in Australia, they are expected to depart voluntarily. In some cases, the Department may remove the person from Australia if they refuse to cooperate in making such plans."
