Time to take in more refugees

As the world prepares to mark UN Refugee Day the Human Rights Commission has urged the Government to allow more refugees to enter New Zealand through other categories - particularly a new community sponsorship pilot that was unveiled this week.

"There are alternative ways people can enter New Zealand outside of the refugee quota system such as the community sponsorship pilot that was unveiled this week: communities across the country are showing they want to welcome refugees and we urge the Government to let them do so." said Dame Susan.

"This is an opportunity for our Government to demonstrate why we deserve to be sitting on the UN Security Council and whether we have the right to chair the UNHCR annual tripartite consultations on resettlement for the next year."

The Government announced this week that it would increase the current quota by 250 per year beginning in 2018. Consecutive governments have kept the quota frozen at 750 since 1987. Per capita, New Zealand takes in far fewer refugees than other, similar developed nations.

"This week's Government announcement was a step in the right direction but it was a very small, very safe step that took New Zealand 30 years to take," said Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy.

"When our grandchildren ask us what we did when the world faced its worst humanitarian crisis in history: we should be able to tell them we did things that made us feel proud to be New Zealanders.""We welcome any increase in the quota as lives will be saved no matter what, but we can and we must do much more."

"Meeting former refugees and hearing their heartbreaking stories of survival changed my life: I encourage all New Zealanders to take the time this weekend to learn the story of at least one person whose life was saved because they were given shelter and refuge in New Zealand."

Dame Susan said New Zealand's existing social problems should not be used as an excuse to limit the nation's humanitarian efforts: "We should do both, if we have enough money for a flag referendum we can help take care of the most vulnerable people, those in refugee camps as well as those here at home.

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