Level 1, 39 Webb Street PO Box 9186 Marion Square Wellington New Zealand Ph: +64 4 801 5812 www.crf.org.nz
7 September 2015
Open letter regarding a taskforce on refugee sector and increased intake
Prime Minister, John Key Minister for Immigration, Michael Woodhouse Associate Minister of Immigration, Craig Foss Minister of Ethnic Communities, Peseta Sam Lotu-liga Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murray McCulley
As the world faces its largest refugee crisis since World War II, Aotearoa New Zealand as a country is faced with a moral obligation to question its position on responding to this particular humanitarian issue. We are calling on the New Zealand government, as a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, to acknowledge our legal obligation under the convention with a considered and planned approach. We believe more can be done, but it requires a coordinated effort from everyone involved.
Having signed the convention in 1960 we became one of the few countries leading the way in human rights and protection for the most vulnerable. However, things have stalled since in regards to a comprehensive infrastructure within New Zealand providing robust, informed and successful support that provides on-going protection and practical ways for refugees to positively integrate into Aotearoa New Zealand. We have a moral & legal obligation to do more.
We urgently request that the government establish a task-force so those with expertise in the sector can assist in the immediate and on-going resettlement of displaced people from around the world. Increasing our refugee quota MUST be supported with a considered assessment and implemented change so the support sector, together with NZ communities, can follow through and assist successful and positive integration of new arrivals into our country.
With almost 15 million displaced around the world, mostly finding refugee in developing countries, we could once again be great role models for countries around the world. This requires however a level of genuinessess and commitment on the part of us all to ensure that once people get here they are provided with not just immediate basic, but on-going long-term support to fully become New Zealanders. This approach benefits us all as a nation, and shows we are a country not willing to compromise on people’s right to care and participation.
To this effect we the signatories call for a taskforce of the following sectors: Tangata whenua Government Refugee organizations Mainstream charities Academics Ethnic community organizations Faith-based organizations
Let’s utilize our existing expertise and respond to the refugee crisis in a considered and planned manner, as we would in any humanitarian crisis.
Tayyaba Khan Mohamed Khalif Abdi CEO, ChangeMakers Refugee Forum Chair, Waikato Refugee Forum Wellington, New Zealand Hamilton, New Zealand
Wendy Preston Aarif Rasheed Producer/Director, Mixit Refugee Youth Barrister, JustCommunity Auckland, New Zealand Auckland, New Zealand
Eleanor Butterworth Verpal Singh Manager, Wellington Rape Crisis Chair, Sikh Centre Wellington, New Zealand New Zealand
Dr Mary Dawson MNZM Keith Locke Chief Executive, Auckland Regional Former MP/Political commentator Migrant Services (ARMS Trust) Hazim Arafeh Robyn Pask President, Islamic Associations of New Chief Executive, Interpreting NZ Zealand Wellington, New Zealand Dr John Hinchcliff Dr Ann Hood President, The Peace Foundation Chief Executive, Refugee as Survivors New Zealand Auckland, New Zealand Rev Dr Keith Rowe Mary Collie-Holmes Christian Theologian/Methodist Church Manager, MCLaSS New Zealand Wellington, New Zealand Rev John Murray Jeff Thomas Executive Director, Lifewise General Manager, Refugee Trauma Auckland, New Zealand Recovery Wellington, New Zealand Professor Paul Morris Programme Director Religious Studies, Martine Udahemuka Victoria University Wellington Community Member/Researcher Wellington, New Zealand Moira Lawler General Manager, Lifewise Trust Ali Akil Auckland, New Zealand Chair/Campaigner, Syrian Solidarity NZ New Zealand Rev Glynn Cardy Minister, St Lukes Presbyterian Church Dr Sapna Samant Auckland, New Zealand GP, Porirua Union Director, HolyCow Media Wellington, New Zealand
Dr Jenny Te Paa Daniel Susan Elliot Educational Consultant Lecturer Public theologian Auckland, New Zealand Auckland, New Zealand Harmeet Sooden Janfrie Wakim Community member/Activist Founder/Chair, Palestine Human Rights Auckland, New Zealand Campaign New Zealand
Jocelyn Armstrong VP, Auckland Interfaith Council Auckland, New Zealand
Rev Dr George Armstrong Anglican Priest/Teacher Auckland, New Zealand
Dr Todd Nachowitz Studies in Religion Programme University of Waikato
Rev John MacDonald Founder, Splice Auckland, New Zealand
Zayid Jones Director, Nawawi Centre Christchurch, New Zealand
Lachlan Mackay International Ambassador, CPWR Wellington, New Zealand
Waseema Ahmed Community Worker/Teacher Auckland, New Zealand
Rev Helen Jacobi Vicar, St Matthews-in-the-City Auckland, New Zealand
Supriya Rathod Strategy & Engagement Consultant Wellington, New Zealand