- We aim to provide a free service to advocate for ‘defenceless and vulnerable’ people facing death, torture or long term imprisonment as a result of sincerely held religious or political convictions, and resulting in a failed asylum application in New Zealand at either the Refugee Status Board or the Immigration Protection Tribunal.
- We request leave of the High Court to bring an application for appeal or review and assist the failed asylum seeker as a “McKenzie Friend”.
- We are active in advocating for democratic freedoms in as many countries as possible around the world.
- We assist failed asylum applicants in New Zealand to find a safe haven in a suitable country somewhere in the world.
- We are promoting a responsible and just framework of legislation and rules in respect to New Zealand’s obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention on Refugees acceded to by New Zealand on the 30th June 1960.
- LEGAL AID: I.J.A.L. cooperates with the NZ Law Societies legally aided asylum
lawyers and barristers in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to file asylum claims. A properly filed claim acceptance confirmation document is issued by the Refugee Status Unit, (RSU) of Immigration NZ, (INZ) and asylum seekers can be eligible for emergency housing benefits. - VALID CLAIMS: For claims to be valid under NZ law the claimant should make the
claim in the first country the asylum seekers arrive in that is a signatory to the UN
Convention on the Status of Refugees. - URGENCY: Claimants should make their claim as soon as possible after arriving in
New Zealand. Sometimes claims made after 60 days are declined by the RSU and an
appeal to the High Court providing evidence of why the delay occurred is required. If a
claimant works with our volunteers immediately after their arrival our volunteers will
ensure that the claim is made by a legally aided lawyer promptly. Although it is possible for a claimant to make a self-generated claim I.J.A.L. does not recommend this approach because it may prejudice the facts of the claim.
Persons who believe that they are eligible for IJAL’s services should make contact with IJAL immediately because the time frame in New Zealand to lodge an appeal is very tight.
Funding
IJAL is funded by the generous donations of supporters of the cause of ‘defending the defenceless’ through an associated charitable trust. Please enquire about the details if your are genuinely interested in supporting this free service.
Apply Now!
Those who think they would qualify for the services of International Justice Advocates Limited should apply without delay.