Over the past month, CAPRS has worked together with others in the sector to put forward submissions to New Zealand Parliament about amendments to the Immigration Act.
The bill introduces a number of important reforms, including the introduction of judicial oversight mechanisms and the formalisation of alternatives to detention. These are significant achievements and reflect progress that many refugee and human rights advocates have long worked toward in Aotearoa New Zealand. However, the bill as it stands, also includes provisions which may have unintended consequences if not carefully scoped and implemented: for instance, the broadening of the definition of “mass arrivals” and the risk of normalising surveilance-based alternatives to detention without sufficient safeguards.
Please have a read of our full submission here: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/submissions-and-advice/document/54SCEDUW_EVI_3094698c-a5ac-419d-cdf6-08dd758b2660_EDUW5934/centre-for-asia-pacific-refugee-studies
You can also view our co-director, Rez Gardi‘s oral submission to the Select Committee (starting from about :50): https://vimeo.com/showcase/10758097?video=1103642651
Thanks to all the other sector partners and stakeholders who also provided submissions including Refugees As Survivors NZ, World Vision New Zealand, and New Zealand Law Society Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa amongst others. Let’s hope this leads to an improved final bill!