A Kiribati community leader in New Zealand was at Parliament yesterday begging the government not to deport a family who argue they are climate change refugees.
(Reverend Iosefa Suamalie, pictured above with Ioane Teitiota s wife, Angua Erika, have pleaded to keep Mr Teitota in New Zealand.)
About 70 people poured into a public meeting in West Auckland on Monday night in support of Ioane Teitiota his wife Angua Erika, and their three children.
Mr Teitiota has been fighting against deportation back to Kiribati since 2011, arguing he should be considered a refugee based on climate change, and rising sea levels.
He s been told he s booked on a flight out of New Zealand on Wednesday.
The crowd was sombre yet hopeful about the family s future. One of the people there, John Corcoran, has been a key witness in legal proceedings. Mr Corcoran says the family s outlook is grim, with many Kiribati families already struggling to survive on the island.
JOHN CORCORAN: At the moment there s not
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Yet, rich countries have responded to this humanitarian disaster with lock-down and lock-up measures to try and stop vulnerable people trying to flee.
The poorest nations with the least resources and which have had the least to do with the climate emergency are being left to deal with humanitarian problems.
Climate-related displacement is still not considered to be an important global issue. The United Nations (UN) Charter still does not recognise climate refugees – those who cross international borders to find safety – let alone internally displaced persons due to changes in the climate.
The UN Human Rights Committee handed down a landmark decision last January, after a 2015 case was brought by Ioane Teitiota from the small Pacific island nation of Kiribati seeking protection in Aotearoa/New Zealand as a climate refugee. His claim was denied by the NZ government.
A group of essential workers at a South Auckland primary school are now struggling with their future after learning that they face redundancy from a job theyâve given their all to.
Around two weeks ago, the four contracted cleaners at Finlayson Park School, who have been working there for about six years and throughout the COVID-19 crisis, found out their employerâs cleaning contract had not been renewed and had been given to a franchisor instead.
But rather than rehire the existing cleaners, the franchisor has proposed to contract the work to a family-run franchisee.
The cleaners have pleaded with the schoolâs management to meet with them to hear their concerns.
Press Release – E Tu
A group of essential workers at a South Auckland primary school are now struggling with their future after learning that they face redundancy from a job they’ve given their all to.
Around two weeks ago, the four contracted cleaners at Finlayson Park School, who have been working there for about six years and throughout the COVID-19 crisis, found out their employer’s cleaning contract had not been renewed and had been given to a franchisor instead.
But rather than rehire the existing cleaners, the franchisor has proposed to contract the work to a family-run franchisee.