Women judges find a safe haven in NZ

Two Afghan women judges have arrived in New Zealand and a third is on her way here, following efforts led by a New Zealand Supreme Court judge to help them flee the worsening situation in Afghanistan.

They were given New Zealand visas after pleas by the International Association of Women Judges’ president, Justice Susan Glazebrook.

Two of the judges and their families have recently arrived. A third is in Europe but will soon be flying to New Zealand with her children, her nephew, and her husband.

After the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, the women and their families escaped on charter flights arranged by non-governmental groups including the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, said Glazebrook.

The fact these organisations had to take a leading role highlighted a failure of the international community, she said.

Of the 230 women judges the association was concerned about, so far, more than half have been evacuated but Glazebrook said ‘‘only a small proportion of these families have a final refuge. And some 90 women judges remain in grave danger in Afghanistan . . . facing real and immediate threat’’.

In August, Justice Glazebrook told Stuff Circuit the women were facing danger on a number of fronts, including revenge attacks from individuals they sentenced for crimes such as domestic violence, who have now been released from prison by the Taliban.

‘‘We are, of course, very pleased that these three families are now safe and settled in New Zealand but . . . their colleagues, some 600 people with their families, are still left in mortal danger in Afghanistan.’’

There are a further 100 judges and their families in transit countries still awaiting resettlement in final destinations.

‘‘Anyone would be pleased to have them in their country. These are courageous, educated women who put themselves at risk to rebuild their country and to support the rule of law there.’’

She thanked the New Zealand Government for its work to get the families here.

A fourth Afghan woman judge granted a New Zealand visa was evacuated by the US in the days before the withdrawal by the US forces and is now settled here.

Justice Glazebrook said without the New Zealand visa, she would not have been allowed through the various checkpoints. ‘‘The visa was instrumental in saving her life.’’