The Immigration and Protection Tribunal is an independent body established under the Immigration Act 2009 to hear appeals and applications regarding: residence class visas; deportation (including appeals on the facts and humanitarian grounds); and claims to be recognised as a refugee or as a protected person. The Immigration and Protection Tribunal commenced on 29 November 2010 and replaces, inter alia, the Refugee Status Appeals Authority (RSAA). Website: www.justice.govt.nz/tribunals/immigration-protection-tribunal
This is an appeal against a decision of a refugee and protection officer
declining to grant refugee status or protected person status to the appellants who
are a mother (the mother) and son (the son). The mother is a citizen of the Ukraine.
She is also a Russian citizen. The son was born in New Zealand. There is some
dispute concerning his nationality but, as will be seen below, the Tribunal finds him
to be entitled to Ukrainian citizenship.