17 Feb 2006

Papuan activist's lawyer says he has done all he can to stay legally in Vanuatu

9:21 am on 17 February 2006

The lawyer for a Papuan independence activist fighting deportation in Vanuatu says his client has followed all the proper procedures in applying for a visa to stay in the country.

Andy Ayamiseba says he was given no official reason for the bungled deportation last week which failed when neither Australia or Solomon Islands would accept him.

Now back in Vanuatu, Mr Ayamiseba, who lived in Vanuatu for 20 years on a diplomatic passport before the current government came to power, is challenging the deportation order in court.

The government claims that without a valid visa, he is in the country illegally.

But his lawyer, Felix Kabini says since losing his passport, Mr Ayamesiba has done everything he was told by Immigration authorities...

"They've asked him to apply for visa to stay in Vanuatu, so he lodged the application and paid the prescribed fees required by Immigration to acquire residencey. No response was made by Immigration to his application until 9 February 2006 when he was deported suddenly."

The full hearing is Friday at 5.30pm local time, while the deportation order has been suspended until the case is complete.