Syrians in NZ rally together to push for action on Aleppo
Auckland: Syrians in New Zealand rallied together in Auckland yesterday to get the government to act on the crisis in Aleppo. About 50 people turned out for the demonstration in support of relief efforts for the residents of Aleppo. Tens of thousands of people remain trapped in the city after evacuations were halted by the Syrian government, with the United Nations warning at least 2700 children would be in danger if they could not get out. The Green Party and Amnesty International have urged the government to consider another emergency intake of refugees from Syria, in light of the humanitarian crisis. The Syrian Solidarity group said that needed to go further, and said the government needed to demand the Assad regime, Russia, Iranian and Iraq militias stop killing civilians. Spokesperson Ali Akil said its rally in central Auckland yesterday was a push for action. Green Party immigration spokesperson Denise Roche said New Zealand had the capacity to take more refugees. “I do think it should be considered right now because of the conflict that’s happening there, and there’s some people who are seeking a safe haven.” Ms Roche said the Green Party was also calling for a permanent increase to the refugee quota, to 1500. Amnesty International also called on the government on Friday to accept another emergency refugee intake, saying New Zealanders strongly supported taking in more refugees. The government announced last year that it would take an extra 600 Syrian refugees over two-and-a-half years as part of a special emergency intake.
From 2018, the refugee quota will be lifted from 750 to 1000. RNZ