KEY POINTS:
Ahmed Zaoui's family should be allowed to come to New Zealand, Green MP Keith Locke said today.
Mr Zaoui has been battling to stay in New Zealand since 2003, when he arrived seeking refugee status.
He is now awaiting a review, which Mr Locke said should not stop the family being reunited now.
"Mr Zaoui's family are not security risks, and nor could their presence here affect the outcome of the review," he said.
"Mr Zaoui's family are UN refugees in their own right, and they meet the priority criteria for our annual refugee intake."
The family are currently in South East Asia.
Mr Locke called on Immigration Minister David Cunliffe to show compassion in the case.
"The Zaoui family have been keep apart by our bungling security service for too long, and this latest delay cannot be justified or tolerated."
When Mr Zaoui, formerly elected as an MP in Algeria, came to New Zealand he claimed he would be tortured or killed if he was sent back to his homeland.
He spent almost two years in prison waiting for his case to be decided as he fought the security risk certificate and moves to remove him from the country.
Mr Zaoui was released on bail in December 2004 after a Supreme Court hearing, and has since lived with the Catholic community in the Dominican Priory in Auckland awaiting a hearing.
The hearing to review the security risk certificate lodged against him was due to be held last August but now Mr Locke said the Government had told him it would not go ahead until between June and August this year.
Inspector-General Paul Neazor's term ends in June and Mr Locke said arrangements should be made so he can stay on for the case if he decides against another three-year term.
- NZPA
