A call for a specific quota for glbti refugees and asylum-seekers to be accepted into New Zealand was supported by members of the glbti communities present at an Amnesty International event this week. Medulla Oblongata (Maldives, Ives Bigirimana (Burundi) and Eliana Rubashkyn (Colombia) At Tuesday night’s event refugees from Colombia, Burundi and The Maldives spoke of the struggles and dangers they faced as gay and transgender refugees. A repeated theme of the discussions was the isolation, harassment and violence, including rape, experienced by glbti people in supposedly safe refugee camps due to their sexuality or gender identity. Amnesty International's local division is currently campaigning for New Zealand’s refugee quota to be doubled. It’s currently at 750 and hasn't increased in almost 30 years. This led to discussion at Tuesday night’s event about including a specific glbti quota within that refugee quota. Karen Ritchie, a long-time campaigner for the safety and dignity of glbti people, says she was extremely moved by the refugees’ experiences. “I salute them for their courage,” she said. “It is people like these who are doubly at risk that we must in all conscience do more to assist. We are so lucky to live in such a free and welcoming country as New Zealand, we can and must do more to extend our advantages to others.” Taine Polkinghorne “New Zealand needs to double its refugee quota, says Auckland trans man Taine Polkinghorne, who would like to see this country take in more glbti refugees. “The lgbti community world-wide is incredibly diverse and they add a depth and a richness to our community through their many different experiences,” says Polkinghorne says. “I feel a relationship with the other people in our international communities and I feel a lot of respect for them” Others in the audience spoke of their admiration and respect for the refugees, giving reassurance that they and others who have been persecuted due to their sexuality are welcome here. There was robust applause for the suggestion that a quota for glbti refugees be instituted, although there was no discussion on how this could be implemented. Meanwhile Amnesty International is setting up a Rainbow Network which will be made up of a group of people who are specifically interested in glbti rights and taking action to try and improve the rights of glbti people all over the world. Anyone interested in being involved can email Mo Farrell
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 11th June 2015 - 12:33pm