According to National Radio [audio] this morning, Burmese democracy activist Mang Za Khup was given a last-minute reprieve from deportation yesterday. Unfortunately, rather than being granted refugee status, he was given only a two-year working visa. But it at least allows him to stay in the country, and escape the 8-28 years imprisonment he would have been facing if forced to return to Burma.
A big "thanks" to everyone who mailed the Minister. You did good.
Yes, what a relief! There's still another failed Burmese asylum-seeker fighting deportation however.
ReplyDeleteGeeky ex-RSO note: Ministers can't (and probably shouldn't be able to) grant refugee status, which is a legal status conferred by principles of international and national refugee law. Only the Refugee Status Branch and the Refugee Status Appeals Authority can do that. I believe the only way a failed asylum-seeker who has been declined by the RSAA can acquire refugee status is if they lodge another first-instance asylum claim with the RSB (NZIS) that is based on different grounds/new evidence etc, known as a 'subsequent claim'.
Yes, what a geek.
Why was Mang Za Khup refused refugee status? tze ming, in your blog you refer to "his good-faith/bad-faith backstory within the refugee system".
ReplyDeleteBecause New Zealand Immigration did not born yesterday.
ReplyDelete