Activism

After having her residency denied twice because of her condition (she has Lupus and is paraplegic), Juliana faced deportation. She took a stand for all people with disabilities and their right to movement and nationality - well established in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, article 18.

 

She started a campaign to bring awareness towards systemic discrimination and a petition to change the Immigration Policy that discriminates on disability and health grounds.

 

Her case was successful, and after the request for special directions, the Associate Minister of Immigration at the time, Honorary Poto Williams, decided to grant her residency.

 

Juliana's advocacy sparked the creation of Migrants Against the Acceptable Standard of Health Aotearoa (MAASHA).

 

MAASHA is a collective led by migrants and refugees, campaigning to end disability and health-related discrimination in Aotearoa New Zealand’s immigration system. MAASHA calls for the Government to end the Acceptable Standard of Health (ASH) requirements and to remove the legal restrictions that allow migrants’ human rights to be violated.

 

If you need assistance and are facing health or disability-related discrimination in the NZ immigration system, visit endashnow.wordpress.com