ravel restriction from India: Human Rights Commission asks govt why permanent residents are prevented from re-entering NZ
Travel restriction from India: Human Rights Commission asks govt why permanent residents are prevented from re-entering NZ
The Human Rights Commission is urging government for more transparency on the decision preventing re-entry of permanent residents in New Zealand.
Acknowledging government’s latest decision on lifting travel ban from India for New Zealand citizens, the Commission pointed out that the permanent residents also have right to live in New Zealand indefinitely therefore urging for regular review into restrictions that remain for permanent residents,?and greater assistance?for?New Zealanders?stuck overseas.?
"The?restoration?of travel?is consistent with citizens’ right to return home?from India?under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act?1990?and international law,"?Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt?said.?
? After?lifting travel restrictions?for citizens?from India, the?Government has introduced a new ‘very high risk’ category of countries?– at this stage being India, Papua New Guinea, Brazil and Pakistan. Travellers from ‘very high risk’ countries can?now?only enter New Zealand if they are New Zealand citizens, or partners, parents and children of New Zealand citizens.?Very significantly, permanent residents are now excluded.???
? "The Government?has an obligation to?provide ongoing justification for why permanent residents are being prevented from re-entering New Zealand from these countries, and how this decision will be regularly reviewed."?
? Permanent residents can live in New Zealand indefinitely. They are eligible to?enrol and?vote in general elections, can access New Zealand benefits and pensions, free or subsidised health services, and are entitled to free primary and secondary schooling.??
Until this recent change, permanent residents and most resident visa-holders have been allowed to re-enter New Zealand (aside from under the temporary travel restriction in respect of India).?
?
The Commission is urging the Government to make known the process and regular review dates of the ‘very high risk’ category of countries, which is especially important if these designations continue for some time.? ?
"It?may be lawful that such measures can be taken to restrict permanent residents’ ability to travel home if it is proportionate to the public health risk,?however,?we?call?for?ongoing transparency around the justification for this change and the numbers of people who continue to be affected."?
"While?acknowledging the importance of keeping New Zealand borders safe and protecting front line staff, the Government also has international law obligations to permanent residents for whom New Zealand is their home."?
Permanent?residents from ‘very-high risk’ countries can?re-enter New Zealand through a third country (if they have been there for more than 14 days), but this appears?very difficult?in the current travel environment.??
"I urge the Government to assist New Zealanders in ‘very high risk’ countries to get home, similar to the repatriation efforts undertaken last year, including through chartering flights and prioritising?managed isolation and quarantine?spots for those affected by these recent restrictions."?
The?Commission?is awaiting to receive a response from the Minister for COVID-19?Response?about the initial travel restrictions relating to India, including in relation to the capacity of New Zealand’s?quarantine?facilities, and support provided to those affected by the restrictions.??
"We strongly encourage the Government to keep the communities in New Zealand and abroad most affected by this new category of countries well-informed of the Government’s reasoning and decisions. Government and communities must be in close communication."?
“It should not be assumed that all New Zealand citizens and permanent residents, who are now urgently seeking to return home, left New Zealand?after?the pandemic emerged.?Moreover, many of those who left New Zealand after the pandemic became widespread only did so for compelling and upsetting family reasons,” Mr Hunt said.
Travel restriction from India: Human Rights Commission asks govt why permanent residents are prevented from re-entering NZ
The Human Rights Commission is urging government for more transparency on the decision preventing re-entry of permanent residents in New Zealand.
Acknowledging government’s...
Travel restriction from India: Human Rights Commission asks govt why permanent residents are prevented from re-entering NZ
The Human Rights Commission is urging government for more transparency on the decision preventing re-entry of permanent residents in New Zealand.
Acknowledging government’s latest decision on lifting travel ban from India for New Zealand citizens, the Commission pointed out that the permanent residents also have right to live in New Zealand indefinitely therefore urging for regular review into restrictions that remain for permanent residents,?and greater assistance?for?New Zealanders?stuck overseas.?
"The?restoration?of travel?is consistent with citizens’ right to return home?from India?under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act?1990?and international law,"?Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt?said.?
? After?lifting travel restrictions?for citizens?from India, the?Government has introduced a new ‘very high risk’ category of countries?– at this stage being India, Papua New Guinea, Brazil and Pakistan. Travellers from ‘very high risk’ countries can?now?only enter New Zealand if they are New Zealand citizens, or partners, parents and children of New Zealand citizens.?Very significantly, permanent residents are now excluded.???
? "The Government?has an obligation to?provide ongoing justification for why permanent residents are being prevented from re-entering New Zealand from these countries, and how this decision will be regularly reviewed."?
? Permanent residents can live in New Zealand indefinitely. They are eligible to?enrol and?vote in general elections, can access New Zealand benefits and pensions, free or subsidised health services, and are entitled to free primary and secondary schooling.??
Until this recent change, permanent residents and most resident visa-holders have been allowed to re-enter New Zealand (aside from under the temporary travel restriction in respect of India).?
?
The Commission is urging the Government to make known the process and regular review dates of the ‘very high risk’ category of countries, which is especially important if these designations continue for some time.? ?
"It?may be lawful that such measures can be taken to restrict permanent residents’ ability to travel home if it is proportionate to the public health risk,?however,?we?call?for?ongoing transparency around the justification for this change and the numbers of people who continue to be affected."?
"While?acknowledging the importance of keeping New Zealand borders safe and protecting front line staff, the Government also has international law obligations to permanent residents for whom New Zealand is their home."?
Permanent?residents from ‘very-high risk’ countries can?re-enter New Zealand through a third country (if they have been there for more than 14 days), but this appears?very difficult?in the current travel environment.??
"I urge the Government to assist New Zealanders in ‘very high risk’ countries to get home, similar to the repatriation efforts undertaken last year, including through chartering flights and prioritising?managed isolation and quarantine?spots for those affected by these recent restrictions."?
The?Commission?is awaiting to receive a response from the Minister for COVID-19?Response?about the initial travel restrictions relating to India, including in relation to the capacity of New Zealand’s?quarantine?facilities, and support provided to those affected by the restrictions.??
"We strongly encourage the Government to keep the communities in New Zealand and abroad most affected by this new category of countries well-informed of the Government’s reasoning and decisions. Government and communities must be in close communication."?
“It should not be assumed that all New Zealand citizens and permanent residents, who are now urgently seeking to return home, left New Zealand?after?the pandemic emerged.?Moreover, many of those who left New Zealand after the pandemic became widespread only did so for compelling and upsetting family reasons,” Mr Hunt said.
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