by Selwyn Manning

Refugee and human rights organisations are calling for asylum seekers who are detained in Auckland’s Mt Eden Prison to be released.

A meeting was held last night by asylum seekers already in New Zealand, New Zealand Refugee Council and Amnesty International.

New Zealand immigration arrested 19 asylum seekers who arrived at Auckland International Airport without the proper documentation. They were arrested on the spot and taken to Auckland's notorious Mt Eden Prison.

Refugees, Amnesty and asylum seekers currently at large in New Zealand want the 19 people released. The meeting also heard how the Refugee Council and Amnesty will be taking APEC leaders to task for ignoring human rights abuses occurring in a number of APEC countries.

A man who fled from China and who now has refugee status in New Zealand has called for leaders to “open their eyes” to atrocities being committed in China.

APEC the meeting heard must not just be focussed on economics and trade but view and discuss social problems impacting on people in developing countries.

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