The ongoing saga of Algerian refugee, Ahmed Zaoui, continues. In a sudden about-face, the Security Intelligence Service has withdrawn the security risk certificate earlier issued against him. The story first aired in March 2003, when Zaoui was declared a security risk. For the refugee and his family, there’s been nothing but media scrutiny, delays, uncertainty and ongoing legal action since.

Why has this story been in the spotlight? I guess the plight of this single man has raised the idea of ‘freedom’ in New Zealand’s consciousness. What freedoms do we take for granted? How do we measure our rights to freedom? And how can we grow into a tolerant multi-racial nation? Freedom of speech and freedom of belief are values that characterise us as New Zealanders (think: our anti-nuclear policy, the Springbok tour protests, our stance on the war in Iraq).

So, what now for New Zealand’s most famous refugee? Zaoui hopes that his family will soon join him here and (as he has said from the beginning) he is happy to abide by New Zealand’s laws and standards of conduct. And this strongly Muslim man will also play a role in brokering better relations between Muslims and non-Muslims in New Zealand communities.

Zaoui was detained for 736 days without charge, including 10 months in solitary confinement. Following today’s decision, he said:

“I am happy, I am delighted, and I can say I am relieved, not just because my name is cleared but the security risk is removed. I am no longer considered a threat to New Zealand.”