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Kiribati
man seeks refuge over environment concerns
A
Kiribati man is seeking asylum because of environmental changes that
have caused the sea level to rise.
16
October, 2013
He
has been refused refugee status by Immigration New Zealand and the
Immigration Protection Tribunal, and is seeking leave to appeal.
Ioane
Teitiota says there is no land anywhere in Kiribati for his family to
relocate to because of climate change.
The
Immigration Protection Tribunal ruled that, while the claims are
credible and accepted, they do not meet the criteria of the Refugee
Convention.
Mr
Teitiota argues the tribunal failed to consider the serious harm his
three New Zealand-born children would suffer if they were deported.
His
lawyer told the court the family is concerned for their health and
well-being if they return to Kiribati as land is being eaten away by
sea-level rise, water is contaminated by salt and sewerage, and crops
are dying.
He
said the case shows how outdated the Refugee Convention is.
The
judge has reserved his decision, expected in the next two weeks.
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