In a surprising but welcome move, Mojgan Shamsalipoor, an Iranian refugee held in detention, has been released by the immigration department. Last year, Mojgan was removed from her Queensland school, Yeronga State High School, and transported to a detention centre in Darwin.

Her release on a bridging visa means she can now return to the community where her family and friends live. Mojgan’s exit from detention comes on the back of a year-long campaign for her return, which was mounted by teachers, students and families at Yeronga State High School and the Queensland Teachers’ Union.

The decision to release her is confirmation of the key role that protests and civil disobedience can play in the struggle for freedom for refugees. Throughout 2015, numerous protests were organised to demand Mojgan’s release and that she be granted permanent residency. Yeronga State High teachers also staged a historic half-day strike in November. The campaign for Mojgan was the first time in Queensland that teachers organised industrial action over a human rights issue.

Mojgan herself had never given up her fight for freedom, and has remained determined that she has a right to seek asylum and live in Australia, despite the government’s attempts to force her to return to the country she fled.

Along with Mojgan, the government released her brother and 14 other asylum seekers. All are now subject to restrictive conditions. Their three-month bridging visas will expire in December, and they will be cut off government support in six weeks. According to immigration minister Peter Dutton, “They are not refugees and are expected to return to their countries of origin. They will not have access to permanent stay visas”.

Mojgan’s release is a win in the struggle for her freedom, and a victory for public protests and industrial action, but that struggle is far from over.