Human Rights

The Human Rights Team works to uphold human rights, at a local and international level. 

Current projects

• Asylum Seeker Equality Project (ASEP): ASEP is focused on achieving equal treatment for refugees who come to New Zealand through the annual refugee quota, and those who claim refugee status under the 1951 Refugee Convention. This project was inspired by the “Marking Time” Report published by the ChangeMakers Resettlement Forum. Since 2021, we have merged our SAA (Seeking Asylum Aotearoa) project with ASEP to provide a clear and accessible website for asylum seekers and refugees seeking clarification on their rights, as well as a platform to post updates, publications and news on our campaign. Their goal for 2022 was to target specific policy distinctions that distinguish between quota and convention refugees through advocacy and collaboration with other refugee organisations. 

• Letter Writing Project: This project is in collaboration with Community Law and allows student volunteers to engage with a client who has already been granted refugee status in New Zealand. Volunteers write a letter on behalf of their client appealing to the UNHCR to have a family member resettled in New Zealand.