Asylum seekers set up to fail

[Lilith7]

I came across this today; I'd no idea things were so tough for asylum seekers here. As if those seeking asylum haven't endured enough; they're having to cope under appalling conditions here.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zeala...IEn_meCaCw

"New Zealand is setting up asylum seekers to fail by denying them the same rights and supports available to other refugees, advocates say.

A new report, 'Safe Start, Fair Future', exposed the plight of asylum seekers left in limbo and said in some cases this can be for years.

"There's nothing in the Refugee Convention that distinguishes between a quota refugee and a convention refugee, but New Zealand treats them differently in terms of the rights and entitlements to certain policies."

For those claiming asylum in New Zealand - 394 on average each year, there is limited access to specialist support services, including mental health, social welfare, and work rights.

The best way to ensure asylum seekers can settle successfully is to provide adequate support, Marlowe said.



The report recommends:

• Resourcing specialist organisations that can provide culturally appropriate services for those most at risk while their asylum claims are decided
  
  
• Including asylum seekers in the Refugee Resettlement Strategy
  
  
• Giving asylum seekers the same rights and supports as quota refugees
  
  
• Streamlining the permanent residency process."