Refugees, Asylum Seekers & Migrants

Protecting the vulnerable

Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand (AIANZ) involves itself in the cases of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants at risk of grave human rights abuse.

Part of this involves working to prevent human rights violations that cause people to flee their homes. At the same time, we oppose the forcible return of any individual to a country where he or she faces serious human rights violations.

We aim to contribute to New Zealand’s observance of human rights as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Status of Refugees (Refugee Convention) and other internationally recognised standards that New Zealand is a party to.

New Zealand is yet to ratify the Stateless Persons Convention and the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
 

Who are asylum seekers and refugees?

Asylum seekers are individuals who are seeking refugee status and  protection in another country from persecution in their own country. Their right to do so is protected by Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 1 of the Refugee Convention.

A refugee is an individual who has fled their country and has been found to be at serious risk of harm as a result of their political beliefs, race, religion, nationality or social group.

With the aim of adding light to the debates around asylums seekers, a fact sheet on the rights of Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Migrants can be found here and another sheet ‘debunking the myths’ surrounding Refugees and Asylum Seekers can be found here.

Who is a migrant?

A migrant is a person who moves from one place to another to live, and usually to work, either temporarily or permanently. They may be forced to leave because they do not have access to adequate food, water or shelter, or in order to ensure the safety and security of themselves and their families.

Advocacy

Part of Amnesty’s role in seeking to protect the rights of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants is to inform and influence the New Zealand Government on research and recommendations from Amnesty International, and to encourage it to ratify relevant international treaties and conventions.

Submissions

Click here to see submissions to the Government Amnesty has made in regards to the rights of aslyum seekers and refugees.

Current refugees and asylum seekers at risk

As we celebrate the 60th year since the adoption of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (“Refugee Convention”) many individuals are forced to flee persecution in their home countries and seek refuge in a third state.

Click here to take action to protect asylum seekers fleeing the bloody conflict in Syria.
 

Regional Processing Centre Proposal

Amnesty International advocates for a collaborative regional approach to the challenge of protecting the rights of arriving asylum seekers and refugees. With the proposal by the Australian Government for an off shore regional processing centre Amnesty has published a briefing paper detailing Amnesty’s concerns and the human rights issues that must be addressed. This paper has been sent to the Prime Minister and Immigration spokespeople.

Amnesty International is also concerned with the deal between the Australian and Malaysian Governments to transfer 880 asylum seekers to Malaysia in return for 4,000 who have sought asylum in Malaysia. More details of these grave concerns can be found on Amnesty International Australia’s website here.

Review of people smuggling legislation

In light of the increased number of boats arriving in Australia in the past year and the arrival of a boat in Canada, media coverage has reported that New Zealand has reviewed its people smuggling legislation to deal with potential arrivals, found it wanting.

Coverage has also stated that the New Zealand Government is preparing for a rise in the number of people smugglers arriving on New Zealand shores.

Amnesty International acknowledges that people smuggling is a crime and accepts that governments must take measures to reduce incidents of unauthorised immigration. It also recognises that it is a significant issue on the rise both in the Asia- Pacific region and globally. However, in order to effectively reduce incidents of people smuggling, in a manner both durable and humane, New Zealand must address the reasons that force asylum seekers onto boats.