Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

UNHCR Praises NZ Refugee Quota Increase

The Right Thing To Do” UNHCR Praises New Zealand’s Refugee Quota Increase

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, praised New Zealand today for increasing the country’s longstanding refugee resettlement quota. Speaking in Wellington, Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern formally announced the increase. “This is the right thing to do,” said Ardern. “It fulfils New Zealand's obligation to do our bit and provide a small number of people, displaced by war and disaster each year, a place to call home.”

UNHCR’s Regional Representative in Canberra, Thomas Albrecht, lauded the Government of New Zealand’s efforts, along with the support of the people of New Zealand. “In the context of growing resettlement needs worldwide, this is a most commendable contribution by New Zealand to further increase the protection of refugees,” said Albrecht. “Even more positively, it reflects the warm hospitality and humanitarianism on which the people of New Zealand rightly pride themselves.”

Since 2013, growing numbers of New Zealanders have called for this expansion of the humanitarian intake from its historic 1987 level of 750 to 1,500 refugees annually. Refugees have also made proud and contributing New Zealand citizens for decades. In 2017, Golriz Ghahraman became the first former refugee to be elected to New Zealand’s Parliament.

For refugees who cannot return home, resettlement in a third country may be the only solution to offer them adequate permanent protection and the chance to rebuild their lives. UNHCR resettlement criteria prioritize those in need of greatest support, including women at risk, survivors of violence and torture and unaccompanied children. Under the UN Refugee Agency’s Resettlement Programme, New Zealand accepts refugees for resettlement each year in close cooperation with UNHCR.

With an estimated 1.2 million refugees in need of resettlement in 2018, UNHCR continues to appeal to all countries for greater solidarity with refugees.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.