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Jacinda Ardern responded to National’s claims that political interference was involved in allowing refugee Behrouz Boochani to enter the country.
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Stuart Smith has alleged political interference in Behrouz Boochani’s asylum application as a refugee.
Source: 1 NEWS
National immigration spokesman Stuart Smith suggested today that Boochani was only admitted to New Zealand because he had “political friends in New Zealand in the Green Party and the Labor Party.”
“I deeply suspect that there was interference from higher up the scale or influence due to Boochani’s political connections,” he told Radio NZ.
Jacinda Ardern this afternoon called the accusation “offensive.”
“I think the claims that have been made here are an insult to the New Zealand immigration system and also to the integrity of the MPs.
“I will not comment on the details of the case in question because, of course, politicians have no role to play in it.
“It is a very important distinction that we have to make and, under the law, we are not even allowed to speak of someone in this particular set of circumstances” as a possible immigration status, “said the Prime Minister.
She said New Zealand’s immigration system is “robust” and opposed the accusation, calling it “incorrect”.
Mr. Boochani traveled to New Zealand in November, finishing a marathon in Australia’s offshore detention regime by accepting an invitation for a speech in Christchurch.
New Zealand Immigration (INZ) granted the refugee a one-month visitor visa.
After arriving, Mr. Boochani reportedly applied for asylum and it is understood that he is still in New Zealand pending a decision on that application.
New Zealand law prohibits INZ or government ministers from discussing asylum offers, or even if there is a request.
Smith pointed to an interview last year when Boochani promised not to return to Papua New Guinea as evidence that Boochani falsified his original visa application.
“If (INZ) does its job correctly, its (asylum) application would fail because it incorrectly completed a visa when it arrived,” he said.
“At first glance, he shouldn’t have been allowed inside.”
Human rights organizations praised Boochani’s departure from Papua New Guinea in November.
The 36-year-old made a series of speaking engagements, including the sold-out Word Christchurch event that sponsored his trip, in New Zealand, before his visitor’s visa expired.
His visit was supported by Amnesty International, which has not responded to requests for comment.
Boochani told AAP last year that he experienced “the exact opposite of what I experienced on Manus Island,” where he was imprisoned for four years after trying to apply for asylum in Australia.
“At Manus I experienced violence, cruelty, humiliation,” he said.
“In New Zealand people welcome me. I have experienced kindness.
“Many people have stopped on the streets and show them their kindness.”
AAP also contributed to this story.
