Latest news with #Somali-born
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
A Voice At The Table: Refugee Panel Completes Successful First Term
Press Release – University of Auckland Recently named in the Kings Birthday Honours, human rights lawyer Rez Gardi MNZM, the project director for the NZRAP Secretariat and the co-director of the Universitys Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies, says its a privilege to welcome the newly … Giving people from refugee backgrounds an official voice on issues that affect them has been the focus of the inaugural New Zealand Refugee Advisory Panel, now into its second term. Resettlement and integration, cultural and social inclusion, mental health support, youth education, legal and immigration processes, community safety and developing leadership in refugee communities are just some of the areas the New Zealand Refugee Advisory Panel (NZRAP) has been involved with since forming in 2022. And now six new members from around New Zealand will be joining the panel for its second term. Recently named in the King's Birthday Honours, human rights lawyer Rez Gardi MNZM, the project director for the NZRAP Secretariat and the co-director of the University's Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies, says it's a privilege to welcome the newly appointed members. 'Their appointments reflect the calibre, depth, and diversity of leadership within refugee-background communities across Aotearoa.' Gardi says the panel plays a vital role in ensuring the perspectives and expertise of those with lived experience of forced displacement are not only heard but embedded in government policy and practice. 'We look forward to supporting the panel as it builds on the foundations laid by its inaugural cohort.' Highlights of the panel's first term include: developing a working definition of 'meaningful refugee participation', now adopted by the NZ government; playing a leading role in the National Refugee Resettlement Forum, alongside Immigration New Zealand; and co-drafting pledges made by the government at the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, where panel members attended international conferences. Retiring panel member Somali-born Ayan Said says serving on the panel is about ensuring refugee participation is not just symbolic but changes the system for the better. 'The NZRAP is where experience meets expertise. Meaningful refugee participation is not a favour it's a fundamental right that strengthens policies and empowers communities. True participation means moving beyond tokenism to build trust, share power, and co-create change.' A former refugee from Syria, Rabia Talal Almbaid, another member now stepping down, says it's been an incredible honour to serve on the panel and a 'defining highlight' of his career, but the panel is in good hands. 'The newly appointed members bring remarkable talent, experiences, and insight into the space. We are excited to see them carry the work forward, as there is more work to do.' The acting national manager of Refugee and Migrant Support, Sarah Ward, says the panel's second term will build on the strong foundations laid by its inaugural members. 'We're proud to support the NZRAP as part of our ongoing commitment to meaningful refugee participation and to New Zealand's world-class refugee resettlement programme,' she says. 'We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the outgoing panel members for their leadership and dedication and warmly welcome the new members and look forward to the important mahi ahead.' The six new members were selected through an open nationwide process that attracted applications from across the country. Newly appointed members 1 July 2025: Sara Ahmad – Hamilton Nimo Ahmed – Whangārei Liaquat Ali Changezi – Hamilton Nada Haroura – Dunedin Beth Ketema – Auckland Abrar Saleh – Auckland Continuing members (since March 2024): Jane Smith – Christchurch Jose Tombe – Wellington The New Zealand Refugee Advisory Panel is a collaboration between Immigration New Zealand and the Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, supported by refugee-led organisations, academics, and civil society.
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
A Voice At The Table: Refugee Panel Completes Successful First Term
Giving people from refugee backgrounds an official voice on issues that affect them has been the focus of the inaugural New Zealand Refugee Advisory Panel, now into its second term. Resettlement and integration, cultural and social inclusion, mental health support, youth education, legal and immigration processes, community safety and developing leadership in refugee communities are just some of the areas the New Zealand Refugee Advisory Panel (NZRAP) has been involved with since forming in 2022. And now six new members from around New Zealand will be joining the panel for its second term. Recently named in the King's Birthday Honours, human rights lawyer Rez Gardi MNZM, the project director for the NZRAP Secretariat and the co-director of the University's Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies, says it's a privilege to welcome the newly appointed members. 'Their appointments reflect the calibre, depth, and diversity of leadership within refugee-background communities across Aotearoa.' Gardi says the panel plays a vital role in ensuring the perspectives and expertise of those with lived experience of forced displacement are not only heard but embedded in government policy and practice. 'We look forward to supporting the panel as it builds on the foundations laid by its inaugural cohort.' Highlights of the panel's first term include: developing a working definition of 'meaningful refugee participation', now adopted by the NZ government; playing a leading role in the National Refugee Resettlement Forum, alongside Immigration New Zealand; and co-drafting pledges made by the government at the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, where panel members attended international conferences. Retiring panel member Somali-born Ayan Said says serving on the panel is about ensuring refugee participation is not just symbolic but changes the system for the better. 'The NZRAP is where experience meets expertise. Meaningful refugee participation is not a favour it's a fundamental right that strengthens policies and empowers communities. True participation means moving beyond tokenism to build trust, share power, and co-create change.' A former refugee from Syria, Rabia Talal Almbaid, another member now stepping down, says it's been an incredible honour to serve on the panel and a 'defining highlight' of his career, but the panel is in good hands. 'The newly appointed members bring remarkable talent, experiences, and insight into the space. We are excited to see them carry the work forward, as there is more work to do.' The acting national manager of Refugee and Migrant Support, Sarah Ward, says the panel's second term will build on the strong foundations laid by its inaugural members. 'We're proud to support the NZRAP as part of our ongoing commitment to meaningful refugee participation and to New Zealand's world-class refugee resettlement programme,' she says. 'We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the outgoing panel members for their leadership and dedication and warmly welcome the new members and look forward to the important mahi ahead.' The six new members were selected through an open nationwide process that attracted applications from across the country. Newly appointed members 1 July 2025: Sara Ahmad – Hamilton Nimo Ahmed – Whangārei Liaquat Ali Changezi – Hamilton Nada Haroura – Dunedin Beth Ketema – Auckland Abrar Saleh – Auckland Continuing members (since March 2024): Jane Smith – Christchurch Jose Tombe – Wellington The New Zealand Refugee Advisory Panel is a collaboration between Immigration New Zealand and the Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, supported by refugee-led organisations, academics, and civil society. Find out more about the panel's achievements.
Sky News AU
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Renowned author Ayaan Hirsi urges Trump to ‘rise to the occasion' and end threat Iran poses to the world
Renowned author and human rights activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali has urged Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu to end the Ayatollah's threat to the world and help the Iranian people achieve regime change. The Somali-born former refugee told Sky News Peta Credlin on Tuesday she hopes Mr Trump can 'rise to the occasion' with Mr Netanyahu and end the Iranian regime. After the hours-long ceasefire between Iran and Israel crumbled following bombs exploding in Israel, Ms Ali stressed that the US President cannot feel like the job was done after one strike. 'I hope that Donald Trump and Bibi Netanyahu, that they rise to the occasion and that they don't stop at this moment where we say, 'oh, we've destroyed the facilities, and so now we can move on',' she said. 'We can't move on, they're going to regroup, they are going to use terrorism in the region and beyond. And they're determined to build this bomb. Even if it takes them another 10 decades, they're absolutely determined. 'And that is why they have to be completely removed. And so, the people of Iran want to do it. We just need to help the people instead of throwing the Ayatollah lifeline.' The renowned author said the Iran regime is committed to changing society, the region and then the 'whole world', hence why it's important the nation does not have nuclear weapons. 'So the reason why it's really important, in my view, to bring this particular regime down is because it's explicitly committed to exporting the Islamic Revolution beyond Iran's borders,' she said. 'And it explicitly says in their constitution that they have to use subversion, terrorism, civil wars, proselytization, and other means, and these other means that is this development of a nuclear bomb. And they regard America as the great Satan and Israel as the little Satan.' Ms Ali encouraged the US President to help the Iranians hoping for a regime change, citing the differences between Iran and other countries that went through tumultuous regime change. 'They're desperate for change, they just need a little bit of help from us,' Ms Hirsi Ali said. 'Iran is different from Libya and Syria ... And the people of Iran who reject this regime ... they want to rid themselves of this. 'And all we need to do is help them.'
Herald Sun
17-06-2025
- Herald Sun
Somalia-born man charged over alleged visa breaches in Melbourne
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News. A Somali-born man on a visa has been charged with breaching his electronic monitoring conditions and committing a serious crime on bail. His arrest in Melbourne this week came as a former immigration detainee was charged over a Footscray assault which left a man fighting for life. The latest man detained, aged 43, was charged on Tuesday by the Australian Federal Police. The AFP said it would be alleged he had breached the conditions of his visa by not maintaining his electronic monitoring device. He faces three counts related to that. The man has also been charged with committing an indictable offence while on bail and contravening a condition of bail. That follows the arrest on Sunday of Lominja Friday Yokoju in connection with the street bashing of Dominic O'Brien, 62, in Footscray. A court heard Mr O'Brien is unlikely to survive the onslaught and the homicide squad is investigating. Mr Yokoju, who is on a bridging visa, is charged with intentionally causing injury. Charges that he had breached his ankle monitoring and curfew conditions were last November dropped by prosecutors. Police & Courts A major police crackdown has led to dozens of arrests, including one man who was caught with a machete in the back of an allegedly stolen car. Police & Courts Two people have been arrested over the Bali shooting that killed a Melbourne man, as a GoFundMe page has been created to help his wife care for their six kids.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Columbus agency says travel ban impedes refugees from family reunification
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus has become a second home for thousands of refugees fleeing countries included in President Donald Trump's travel ban, many of whom now worry about family left behind. 'It is painful to see doors close on those who have already faced so much,' central Ohio refugee agency employee Dianna Russell said. Russell is the director of institutional advancement, marketing and communications for central Ohio refugee resettlement agency Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services, a Columbus nonprofit that helps refugees and immigrants from more than 90 countries establish roots in central Ohio. According to state data, nearly 1,300 refugees moved to Columbus in 2024. More than 1,000 came from countries that are fully or partially banned indefinitely. More than 400,000 Ohioans see drivers license suspensions lifted Effective June 9, Trump banned new arrivals from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Citizens of Burundi, Cuba, Loas, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela are severely limited. People who were granted asylum or refugee status before the ban took effect are not included in the ban. Refugees and asylum seekers differ from immigrants, although they may share similar experiences depending on their situations. Refugees and asylum seekers ask for protection because of dangers in their home countries, and are approved to seek safety in the U.S. after lengthy federal background checks. Russell said that although the restrictions do not suspend refugee resettlement, they could limit or stop reunification with family members still abroad. 'Clients who have worked hard to build a future in the United States now fear that loved ones will not be able to join them,' Russell said. 'Others who had hoped to bring aging parents, spouses or children to safety may now face indefinite delays or denials.' How a small town revived into 'Ohio's most loveable downtown' In 2024, Ohio accepted refugees from 11 of the 19 countries under full or partial bans, primarily from the Republic of the Congo and Afghanistan. In Columbus, refugees mostly came from Somalia (301 refugees arriving in 2024), Afghanistan (294) and the Republic of the Congo (246). Trump provided reasons for banning entry from each country. Trump said Somalia is banned for not having appropriate screening measures and a lack of centralized control, Afghanistan is banned for the Taliban's influence and the Republic of the Congo is banned for high rates of overstaying visas. Russell said the reasons for the travel bans are the same reasons many refugees came to the U.S. in the first place. 'The emotional toll is especially heavy for those with family members still in areas affected by violence, conflict or humanitarian crises,' Russell said. Columbus has the second-largest Somali population in the U.S., with an estimated 60,000 Somali immigrants. Most Somali-born Columbus residents are refugees, escaping a 30-year civil war compounded by natural disasters. Somalia was also included in Trump's 2017 travel ban. At the time, Somali refugee Amina Ibrahim told NBC4 that her 5-year-old son was stuck in a refugee camp in Uganda, and the travel ban prevented him from reuniting with family members. Protest against ICE raids held in Columbus Haitian immigrants are also included, just months after making headlines when Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance helped perpetuate rumors about Haitian residents in Springfield on the campaign trail. City, county and state officials have repeatedly said the claims were false and unfounded. Columbus residents have been vocal in supporting immigrants and refugees, with hundreds rallying Tuesday night to oppose ICE raids. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther's office said the city 'strongly opposes' the travel ban, believing it 'targets' individuals based on their country of origin or religion. 'These policies do not reflect our values and undermine the strength that diversity brings to our communities,' Ginther's office said. 'We remain committed to our values, to being a welcoming city and to protecting the well-being and safety of everyone who lives in our city.' Other elected officials disagree. Speaking to Fox News, Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) said the ban will help protect Americans. 'These countries are basically failed nations, they have no ability to vet who's leaving their country,' Moreno said. 'We're not going to put American citizens in jeopardy.' NBC4 asked Moreno, a Colombian immigrant, about these comments and about the ban's effect on American-born Ohioans and the 5.3% of the state who were born abroad. Moreno did not respond to the inquiry. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
