Couple’s refugee status fears come true
Time in New Zealand is running out for an Indian couple who fear they will become victims of an honour killing if they return to their homeland.
Earlier this year, the young couple lodged an appeal with the Immigration and Protection Tribunal, after their request to be granted refugee status in New Zealand was declined.
The tribunal ruled it was satisfied there was a real chance the wife’s family would make good on their threat to kill the couple if they returned to their home city, with their baby daughter.
However, it was determined the family could avoid harm at the hands of the wife’s family by living elsewhere in India.
In a final effort to save their lives, the couple, who live in Christchurch, wrote to former Associate Minister of Immigration David Bennett and requested ministerial intervention.
The family cannot be named due to Immigration Act restrictions.
On May 17, the couple were ‘‘shocked’’ to receive a letter from Bennett, declining to intervene.
‘‘I have carefully considered your representations. I advise I am not prepared to intervene in this case,’’ he wrote. ‘‘I suggest you contact the compliance group of Immigration New Zealand and arrange voluntary departure from New Zealand.’’
Under section 11 of the Immigration Act 2009, Bennett was not obliged to give reasons for his decision.
‘‘The minister had all the power to let us stay,’’ the woman said.
She and her husband were now making plans to leave New Zealand and move elsewhere, with the financial backing of the man’s family. She said they expected to be out of the country within the next six weeks to avoid living in New Zealand illegally.
‘‘It’s the worst for us because it was an unexpected thing.’’
In a statement, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) assistant general manager Peter Devoy said it was working closely with the family after Bennett declined to intervene in their case and their appeal to the independent Immigration and Protection Tribunal was unsuccessful.
A spokesman for Bennett said he declined to intervene based on all the information that was presented to him. ‘‘He is no longer the associate minister so is not in a position to provide further comment.’’
Christchurch immigration adviser and Indian Social and Cultural Club treasurer Thomas Shaji Kurian said Bennett’s decision indicated there was no recourse from the ‘‘government machinery which is supposed to deal with such appeals and issues’’.