Media Release

10 September 2003

Government Must Deport Kidnapper-Rapist

New Zealand First has called on the Government to immediately deport a Somali serving an eight year term for rape and kidnapping.

Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters said New Zealanders were shocked to learn that the Deportation Review Tribunal has upheld an appeal by Hassan Ahmed Shaqlane against deportation.

“New Zealand has become an international garbage dump for these individuals that no other countries will touch, and the reason is they know this Government will look after them better than its own citizens.

“This individual has been convicted of rape and kidnapping. He has no right to be here and he should be sent home forthwith.”

Mr Peters said he did not believe for one second that Shaqlane would be tortured when he returned to Somalia as the Tribunal asserts.

“Who escaping from torture would behave this way in a foreign country?

“These individuals are accomplished liars and cheats and no other government in the world would believe him.

“He is a blight on New Zealand and any responsible minister and government would have deported him a long time ago.”

ENDS

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