Issues relating to Immigration invoke emotions and responses.
The fear of displacement and fear of the unknown and the state of being threatened are usually behind such emotions.
Sometimes what is blatantly obvious can be missed, resulting in gross injustices. Yet, justification is found with acceptance. A high threshold of tolerance exists, helped by convincing shallow rhetoric, justifying actions and response.
It takes much time, soul searching, and possibly a fresh pair of eyes to see in the cold light of day that behind the rhetoric there was no substance and that such a stance was baseless.
Empirical research did not support it and there was no rationale. It was a righteous response that came from a place of fear, belief and understanding of how it was. In some cases, it is sold as a fact with the trimmings of the marketing gurus.
The public buy it.
Unfair situation
What happened was not fair or right.
With time, some even go as far as being provided with a solution, rare few get compensation. Sometimes, it never surfaces but remains buried, experiencing a silent death with the flow of time.
History repeats itself in some other form with much impact, bringing havoc to those it touches. The blanket of desperation and hopelessness hugs. Those who find themselves in such a predicament provide a field-day for the vultures that are ready and waiting for the kill. There is no shortage of such opportunities.
Interesting opinions
Public responses are interesting to observe, particularly opinions, each with their own quirks. Some say, “so what, it is none of my business,’ or “we did well, and hence why not these people?”
According to a few, “It is their problem if they had expectations. They should have researched better since everything is available on the Internet. Some potential migrants are so disparate that they are ‘prepared to do anything’ to get to New Zealand. They therefore come into this country knowing what is in store for them and hence should not complain if things are not so rosy. They deserve what they get.”
These opinions may be valid or baseless, depending on how they are perceived.
These are reactions and opinions to the symptoms rather than the issues on hand.
Vested interests
I was recently told by some with vested interests that I should not rock the boat, and that the road of ‘No Entry’ provided us with work and opportunity.
“What is there to worry about, we were benefiting.”
The ways of the world continue to fascinate me. What have we become, benefiting from the misery of others with glee?
We are in the business of protecting our borders which is every country’s prerogative, but at an individual level, we are protecting our pockets or should I say filling it up in a deliberate fashion?
The rhetoric continues, there is nothing to change and business is as usual.
This is the world in which we live.
Kamil Lakshman is a Lawyer & Principal of Wellington based law firm Idesi Legal Limited. She can be contacted on (04) 4616018 or 021-1598803. Email: kamil.lakshman@idesilegal.co.nz; The opinions expressed in her article above are her own and not that of Idesi Legal Limited or the New Zealand Law Society, or its Wellington Branch, or its affiliated bodies and committees or Indian Newslink. Readers can send their comments (names can be withheld from publication on request) also to editor@indiannewslink.co.nz
