15 November 2012

Government fast-tracks risk of "imported criminality" while attacking refugees

Immigration Minister Nathan Guy’s deal with China Southern Airlines to fast-track visas for gold and silver frequent flyer cardholders stands in stark contrast to its proposed legislation scaremongering against non-existent boat people, the Green Party said today.

“Nathan Guy’s Immigration Amendment Bill proposes group warrants and mandatory detention for those seeking asylum from oppression, while at the same time he is making it easier for tourists to enter New Zealand on the basis that they may be wealthy,” said Green Party immigration spokesperson Jan Logie.

“The Immigration Amendment Bill is scaremongering against the possibility of mass arrivals of asylum seekers in boats on New Zealand shores, something the Government admits has only a negligible probability of occurring.

“Mr Guy is content to ignore New Zealand’s obligations under the Refugee Convention when it comes to those fleeing persecution and oppression overseas.

“The Minister was warned that his deal with China Southern Airlines has ignored the risk of ‘imported criminality’ by Immigration NZ's national manager of intelligence and risk, Shaun Driscoll.

“Mr Guy should listen to the advice from his officials over the China Southern Airlines deal and he must respect New Zealand’s commitments to refugees and asylum seekers.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media

"Unlawful, Unjustified And Unreasonable": Report Into Urewera Raids Finds Police Acted Unlawfully

Independent Police Conduct Authority Chair Judge Sir David Carruthers said today that the decision by the then Commissioner of Police to undertake the operation in Ruatoki Valley and elsewhere on 15 October 2007 was reasonable and justified.

“However, the road blocks established by Police at Ruatoki and Taneatua were unlawful, unjustified and unreasonable... Police had no legal basis for stopping and searching vehicles or photographing drivers or passengers,” he said...

The report also showed that the detention of the occupants at five properties examined by the Authority was unlawful and unreasonable. More>>