In the past, New Zealand has spoken out strongly against human rights abuses in Burma, and we accept both political activists and members of minority groups from that country as refugees. So why then are we about to deport a Burmese democracy activist?
Mang Za Khup arrived in New Zealand several years ago as a Bible student. While here, he applied for refugee status and became an outspoken member of New Zealand's United Democratic Burmese Community. His political activities in this country (not to mention the activities of his relatives in Burma, and his membership of the oppressed Chin minority) put him in significant danger of persecution if forced to return. Despite this, his application for refugee status has been denied, and the government is planning to deport him tomorrow.
The UDBCNZ has written to the Minister of Immigration requesting that the deportation order be cancelled, and enclosing the UNHCR's information on what happens to deported asylum seekers. As is common in despotic regimes, they tend to face imprisonment simply for applying for refugee status - and much worse if they are suspected of being involved in political activity overseas. The UNHCR notes that
The safety upon return of the individual concerned should be ascertained prior to a removal arrangement.
Unfortunately, the government doesn't seem to have done this, and is now in the process of refouling a refugee claimant back to persecution. That's not what this country is supposed to stand for. But possibly, things have changed now that Labour is in bed with NZ First.
If you'd like to protest this move, you can contact Clayton Cosgrove, the Associate Minister of Immigration, here.
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