Zaoui v Attorney-General

[2005] NZSC 38

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IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW ZEALAND

SC CIV 19/2004
[2005] NZSC 38

BETWEENATTORNEY-GENERAL
Appellant

ANDAHMED ZAOUI
First Respondent

ANDINSPECTOR-GENERAL OF INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY
Second Respondent

ANDHUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
Intervener

Court:Elias CJ, Gault, Keith, Blanchard and Eichelbaum JJ

Counsel:T Arnold QC, Solicitor General, K L Clark and        A S Butler for Appellant
R E Harrison QC and D Manning for First Respondent
R M Hesketh and S A Bell for Intervener

Hearing:12 and 13 April 2005

Judgment:21 June 2005 

JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

AThe first respondent is granted leave to cross appeal.

BThe declarations made by the Court of Appeal are set aside.

CThe Court makes the following declarations:

1Those applying article 33.2 of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees 1951 under Part 4A of the Immigration Act 1987 are to apply it in its own terms.  In particular, to come within article 33.2, the person in question must be thought on reasonable grounds to pose a serious threat to the security of New Zealand; the threat must be based on objectively reasonable grounds and the threatened harm must be substantial.

2In carrying out his function under Part 4A of the Immigration Act the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security is concerned only to determine whether the relevant security criteria – here s 72 and article 33.2 – are satisfied.  He is not to determine whether Mr Zaoui is subject to a threat which would or might prevent his removal from New Zealand.

DTo the extent that the above declarations differ from those made by the Court of Appeal, the appeal and the cross-appeal are allowed.

REASONS

(Given by Keith J)

Table of contents

The facts and proceedings in brief............................................................................... [1]
The Court of Appeal ruling....................................................................................... [11]
The issues before this Court...................................................................................... [13]

1     The meaning of article 33.2;  “proportionality” or weighing

and balancing............................................................................................. [19]

The plain meaning and the purpose............................................................. [25]
      The context................................................................................................ [28]
      State practice............................................................................................. [31]
      Relevant rules of international law.............................................................. [35]
      Drafting history.......................................................................................... [36]
      Cases and commentaries............................................................................. [39]
      The meaning of article 33.2........................................................................ [42]
      Has article 33.2 been amended?.................................................................. [47]
      Or voided in part by a peremptory norm?..................................................... [51]
      Conclusion................................................................................................ [52]

2The scope of the functions under Part 4A and their allocation

between the Director, the Inspector-General and the Minister........................ [53]

Conclusion................................................................................................ [73]

3The protection of the right not to be returned to the risk of

torture or the arbitrary taking of life............................................................. [75]

The facts and proceedings in brief

[1]       Mr Zaoui is a refugee.  The Refugee Status Appeals Authority (the RSAA) so decided on 1 August 2003.  He accordingly has the protection accorded by para (1) of article 33 of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees 1951 as amended by its 1967 Protocol to both of which New Zealand is party:

No Contracting State shall expel or return (“refouler”) a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom would be threatened on account of…