NZ charity steps in to help woman stuck in Cook Islands

A New Zealand charity is in the process of engaging specialist immigration legal support to aid a Sri Lankan woman stuck in the Cook Islands for three years.

Deen Welfare visited the Cook Islands last week and met with Ruchira Rajasingha. The 50-year-old arrived in November 2023 from New Zealand and has been unable to leave the islands because New Zealand and Australia have continuously denied transit visas.

Rajasingha's status in the country is also illegal; however, because of the failure in getting transit visas to deport her, the Cook Islands Immigration has been forced to keep her in the country.

Deen Welfare Trust representative Tahir Nawaz said the legal representatives would independently review the case, assess the transit visa barriers, and develop a clear pathway for her safe return.

The Trust has opened formal communication with the New Zealand High Commission in the Cook Islands and formally forwarded the case file through to the Wellington-based New Zealand office for further consideration

Deen Welfare Trust has now formally requested an official meeting to align on repatriation pathways and explore longer-term welfare collaboration for Sri Lankan nationals across Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific region

"Our priority right now is simple: to get this vulnerable woman safely home to her family in Sri Lanka," Nawaz said.

"She has endured years of uncertainty and immense psychological distress; our visit to Rarotonga confirmed just how urgent this humanitarian situation is. We are grateful for the local community support she is receiving in the Cook Islands and will escort Ruchira through designated airside transit zones personally."

Rajasingha confirmed meeting with Nawaz and said she was praying that the organisation may be able to help.

"I hope that Tahir and his team are able to help me. I am losing hope and my days in the Cook Islands are getting longer. I hope that people who are in authority realise that I am just a woman who is trying to get back home," she said.

Deen Welfare Trust reiterates its standing public offer to escort Rajasingha through designated airside transit zones personally, should a transit visa exemption or approval be granted, to remove any concerns regarding her onward travel.

While in Rarotonga, Nawaz met directly with Rajasingha to assess her physical and mental wellbeing and hear first-hand her urgent plea to be safely repatriated to her family in Sri Lanka.

Trust also held discussions with local Cook Islands community members who have been providing ongoing care for her. Local supporters expressed deep sadness and concern for her prolonged predicament; however, they confirmed there remains no viable local pathway to resolve her situation. The Trust assessed each route and ruled it

While on site in Rarotonga, the Trust systematically explored every feasible repatriation pathway - by land, air and sea.

The Trust assessed each route and ruled it out as impractical or ineligible for formal approval. One additional alternate route via French Polynesia was also investigated.

Rajasingha had applied for the required Tahiti transit visa but was advised she must complete mandatory in-person biometric fingerprinting in Aotearoa New Zealand - a requirement she is currently unable to fulfil, rendering that pathway also unworkable.

This leaves limited remaining options for her safe return.