New Zealand has been fortunate to be geographically isolated from the global refugee crisis, which has affected millions of people across the world.
However, as responsible members of the international community, the New Zealand government has taken steps to ensure that the country is well-prepared in the event of a mass arrival of asylum seekers.
In this blog post, we will explore the proposed amendments to the Immigration Act 2009 and the introduction of a community management approach for asylum seekers.
Proposed Changes to Immigration Act 2009:
The proposed amendments to the Immigration Act 2009 aim to ensure that the legislation operates as Parliament intended and does not adversely affect individuals seeking asylum.
The changes will extend the period for making decisions on asylum claims, which will provide asylum seekers with access to comprehensive legal representation and specialist support.
This change addresses a critical issue of the current Act, which limits the ability of asylum seekers to gain comprehensive legal representation and jeopardizes access to specialist support for highly vulnerable individuals.
Community Management Approach:
The government is separately addressing a key recommendation of the Casey report, which is to develop a community management approach to assist in limiting the detainment of asylum seekers while their claims are processed.
This approach will ensure that asylum seekers are only detained in prisons when it is absolutely necessary. The assessment of asylum claims can take a significant amount of time, and this community management approach will extend the tools available to manage asylum seekers.
The government remains committed to upholding human rights and assisting in integration into New Zealand should a claim be successful.
Proposed Changes to Mass Arrivals Legislation:
The proposed changes to mass arrivals legislation will give the courts more time to consider applications for mass arrival warrants of commitment and extend the time a person can be detained so they can obtain adequate legal representation.
It will also make it clear that members of an irregular maritime arrival group need to apply for the relevant visa and entry permission, and if they do not, treat them as though they have applied.
Additionally, it will remove any possibility that members of an irregular maritime arrival group hold a visa on arrival.
Conclusion:
The proposed amendments to the Immigration Act 2009 and the introduction of a community management approach for asylum seekers demonstrate the New Zealand government’s commitment to upholding human rights and the rule of law.
These changes will ensure that asylum seekers have access to comprehensive legal representation and specialist support while their claims are processed.
The community management approach will limit the detainment of asylum seekers and provide tools to manage their cases better.
It is crucial to maintain New Zealand’s reputation as a welcoming and compassionate country that provides a safe haven for those in need.