Hunger strike tears, pleas as rain takes toll

By ALAN PERROTT and STACEY BODGER

The week-long hunger strike by Chinese refugees turned to chaos in driving rain last night as three collapsed and supporters became frenzied.

Ambulance officers pleaded with the strikers in Aotea Square to start taking fluids, saying their situation was becoming dire and would only worsen, as the trio were taken to Auckland Hospital.

It is understood four refugees were hospitalised after the group began refusing fluids yesterday, joining six others who had previously collapsed.

Around 40 began the strike seven days ago, protesting that an amnesty granted to overstayers under new immigration laws excludes people applying for refugee status.

Some of the refugees' 80 supporters sobbed and yelled as ambulance staff put people on stretchers.

The group has raised $15,000 of the $50,000 they need to pay for legal action against the Government.

A supporter, Wei Ming Chan, said the refugees would continue their strike at least until Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel visited, even if some died.

Ms Dalziel has so far refused but has promised to review the case of anyone who meets the amnesty criteria.

National MP Pansy Wong yesterday supported the refugees and said Ms Dalziel's refusal to visit the protesters was "unbelievable."

"Instead of blaming everyone else she should meet with the hunger strikers and listen to their concerns before dismissing them."

Ms Dalziel said it was ironic that National Party MPs were now crying foul as they had passed the laws causing the problems.

The Human Rights Commission accepts Ms Dalziel's position on the refugees and recommends they take up her offer of a review.

Proceedings commissioner Chris Lawrence said many refugee problems were caused by immigration consultants who suggest such applications to people who have little chance of succeeding.



Illegal overstayers have begun taking advantage of a partial amnesty under the new laws, which came into effect on Sunday, by requesting information packs.

Overstayers can now be picked up and sent home on the same day.

The previous legislation gave overstayers 42 days to appeal against a removal order.

But about one-third of the 22,000 overstayers estimated to be living in New Zealand may be eligible for permanent residency under an amnesty which will run until March 30, 2001.

The overstayer amnesty covers those who arrived before October 1, 1999, and by September 18, 2000, were married or in a settled relationship with a New Zealand citizen or resident, had a New Zealand-born child, or had been in the country for five years. They will be granted permanent residency after two years if they meet good character requirements and have not been out of the country for more than 90 days.

Removal orders already issued to well-settled overstayers will be cancelled while their applications are processed.

Herald Online feature: the immigrants

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