AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PUBLIC STATEMENT
17 April 2013

Amnesty International: Government’s further step towards Mass Arrivals Bill disappointing

Amnesty International is extremely disappointed with the New Zealand Government’s decision to push forward with a Bill to introduce detention under a mass warrant for asylum seekers.

“Last night the Immigration Amendment Bill passed its second reading, which moves New Zealand one step closer to breaching its international obligations and failing to protect the rights of asylum seekers and refugees,” said Grant Bayldon, Executive Director of Amnesty International.

“The Government has further shown a total disregard for the real issue here, which is the violent and terrifying situations from which people flee.”

While the Organisation supports the efforts by states to curb people smuggling, research has shown that harsh, punitive policies imposed on those using smugglers to flee persecution does nothing to deter the people smugglers themselves.

“Amnesty believes that this Bill will not counter people smuggling, and the Government should not be targeting the victims but the people smugglers themselves. Unnecessarily locking up women, children and families will violate New Zealand’s international obligations,” said Bayldon.

“The simple fact is that it is a breach of New Zealand’s obligations to discriminate against asylum seekers based on their mode of arrival, and that any legislation that aims to deter asylum seekers from their legal right to claim asylum through punitive measures is also contrary to the Refugee Convention.

It jeopardises New Zealand’s international reputation as a world leader in this area and hinders progress towards a genuine regional solution.”

Amnesty International will continue to call on the Government to make serious amendments to the legislation to ensure it meets New Zealand’s domestic and international human rights obligations with recognition of the rights of asylum seekers and refugees at the forefront of any changes.

“Amnesty will be working hard to ensure the Government understands the real issues in this debate,” said Bayldon.

“And we will again ask that New Zealand leads by example and plays a genuine role in addressing refugee protection in the region by increasing its currently small refugee resettlement programme and working with other countries to improve levels of protection and safety.”

ENDS

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