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“By making a blanket statement that asylum seekers are not welcome in New Zealand, our Prime Minister is showing a total disregard for our country’s legal and moral responsibility to offer protection to refugees,” says Patrick Holmes, Chief Executive Officer of Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand.
“Asylum seekers are not breaking the law. Nobody wants to be a refugee, yet thousands of Sri Lankans are currently facing the daily risk of grave human rights abuses and have no hope of finding sanctuary in their own country. As a result, men, women, children and families are forced to take desperate measures and risk their lives,” says Holmes.
But according to a TV3 telephone poll, 4 out of 5 New Zealanders agree with the Prime Minister’s opinion “The simple message is they’re not welcome,” he said.
A boat carrying 85 Sri Lankan asylum seekers appears to be heading for New Zealand.
The ship has been intercepted by Indonesian authorities, and is currently in port at Tanjung Pinang, the capital of Kepulauan Riau province.
Indonesia has become a major transit point for people from Afghanistan, Iraq and other war-torn countries trying to illegally enter New Zealand and Australia.
Speaking at a post-cabinet press conference on Monday afternoon, Key confirmed the incident, but said he did not know what would happen to the boat now.
Sources
- Scoop.co.nz
- Image Eelamenews
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