When is the government going to swallow it´s pride and step into the Ahmed Zaoui case?

The hearing for the review the Security Risk Certificate - a document issued by the SIS years ago, and the reason for Zaoui´s continued uncertain status in New Zealand - was set down for 7 August, but now has been postponed. Because, it would seem, the SIS can´t get it together. Or, perhaps, because the SIS doesn´t want to get it together.
This is yet another example of why we should not be increasing the powers of the SIS, as I argued in my Immigration Act Review submission. Fair and fast decision making? No, wayward bureaucracy that does what the hell it wants, when the hell it wants, and there´s very little that anyone else can do about it.

But aside from this, the postponement angers me because Ahmed Zaoui is a person with family he loves - just like you or I. However unlike me, and probably unlike you, Zaoui has been found a legitimate refugee with legitimate cause to fear persecution in his home country Algeria. Normally this would mean he could settle down and live a quite life with his wife and kids. But while the Security Risk Certificate remains in effect, Zaoui´s future remains unclear, his family remain in hiding overseas, and he sits in limbo.

A date for the hearing review provided at least something concrete, something to look towards, a change from the who-knows-when uncertainty. It really doesn´t matter what you think about Zaoui´s religion, his politics, or what his eyes say about him. He is a person like you and I. And he is entitled to a just hearing and a just process. It is appalling that the Inspector General can simply postpone a hearing indefinitely by reasoning that the issues are “complex”.

The Prime Minister or the Minister of Immigration can step in at any time and put an end to the SIS´s games. There´s never been a more necessary time than now.

Other posts by Katie Llanos-Small