A number of “desperate” New Zealand residents with Ukrainian friends and relatives have urged the administration to enable visa-free travel for Ukrainians, as other Western nations relax entrance regulations to allow in more refugees escaping the Russian attack.
The administration of New Zealand has so far rejected requests to modify its refugee policies in reaction to the crisis, which the UN believes has led more than 1.3 million Ukrainians to flee their country.
New Zealand faces mounting pressure to aid Ukrainian refugees
New Zealand spokesperson Kostyantyn Starodub has relatives in Kyiv, where Russian rocket attacks have resulted in numerous civilian fatalities. Russian soldiers now surround Kyiv, and foreign observers are concerned that Russia’s President would order indiscriminate shelling, as he has in other Ukrainian cities.
Starodub stated that he had instructed his family to “escape any way they can.” Then we’ll work out a plan to bring you here.” However, as per his organization’s legal advice, due to pandemic-related border limitations, Ukrainian family members cannot apply for New Zealand visas.
“This is an open battle,” Starodub said. “Every day, normal residents, especially children, die. Unfortunately, new Zealand is unaware of the extent of the attack.”
He stated that visa-free travel would assist in resolving the issue. His organization is also pressing the government to expedite the visa process for Ukrainian refugees, expand the number of visa categories accessible to them, and establish a new Ukrainian refugee quota in addition to the 1,500 migrants New Zealand accepts each year.
“Imagine traveling through a war-torn nation with children and no money or a place to live,” Starodub remarked. “The ability to come and stay with family members, regardless of their place in the world, is far preferable to being in a refugee camp.”
According to Green MP Ricardo Menéndez March, Ukrainians are “desperate and appealing for government intervention.” I’m afraid that we’re repeating some of the errors we made lately in Afghanistan in terms of assisting people attempting to evacuate before things worsen.”
According to the opposition National Party, Ukrainians should also get expedited visa applications and receive special humanitarian visas.
Kris Faafoi, the immigration minister, did not react to inquiries regarding granting visa-free entrance to Ukrainians. Alternatively, he stated that if pandemic travel bans are repealed, which the government intends to do later this year, “Ukrainian Kiwis [would be permitted] to bring extended family, outside partners, and direct dependents, to the country on temporary visas.”
In response to Menéndez March’s parliamentary queries last week, Faafoi agreed to prioritize emergency visa applications and investigate if “additional procedures might be exploited within our present policy.” However, the minister stated that New Zealand was only reviewing 106 Ukrainian visa applicants as of Monday last week.
Jacinda Ardern has stated that New Zealand might consider assisting nations near Ukraine in dealing with the influx of refugees. In an interview with TVNZ on Monday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, “We want to do more.”
Several other nations have made temporary visa-free immigration available to Ukrainians escaping the Russian attack. The EU has said that Ukrainian migrants may stay in member nations for up to three years before requesting asylum. On Thursday, Canada’s immigration minister, Sean Fraser, declared that most visa criteria would be waived and that the nation would welcome an “infinite number” of Ukrainians.
Following strong criticism, the UK implemented more limited amendments that will enable Ukrainian citizens in the UK to request visas for their immediate family members. According to the UK government, 200,000 people would be able to apply under the new conditions.
The calls came after New Zealand’s cabinet unveiled a sanctions package aimed at putting pressure on Russia’s leadership and billionaires. New Zealand typically imposes bans only when requested to do so by the United Nations Security Council, a method that has come under criticism, considering that Russia has vetoed UN attempts to punish it.
In a press release this week, the New Zealand administration said the “first of its kind” bill would be rushed through parliament this week. It would allow New Zealand to freeze assets, prevent people and companies from moving their money and assets to New Zealand to avoid sanctions imposed by foreign governments, and prevent superyachts, ships, and planes from entering its waters or airspace.