Eugene Liapin and his wife Lisa arrived in New Zealand in 2019 to study public relations and biology at Waikato University in New Zealand's North Island. They applied for a temporary post-study work visa after finishing their courses.
Immigration NZ approved Liza's application, but refused Eugene, who uses an electric wheelchair because he is "likely to impose significant costs and demands on New Zealand Health services".
The 26-year-old has been using a wheelchair since the age of eight after being diagnosed with Kugelberg-Welander syndrome type 3 - a rare form of spinal muscular atrophy.
"The medical assessor has commented that you do not have an for New Zealand because you are likely to impose significant costs and demands on New Zealand's health services", a letter from NZ Immigration stated.
Mr Liapin and his New Zealand doctor maintain his condition is stable and will not worsen significantly.
Eugene Liapin has Kugelberg-Welander Syndrome, a rare type of spinal muscular atrophy. Source: Facebook/Eugene Liapin
"There is no medical treatment that can be used for his disability," Eugene's doctor, Leo Revell, wrote in a letter to NZ Immigration.
"I cannot foresee any medical problems that could occur as a result of his disability that would be any different from any other person coming to New Zealand."
The worst thing, Eugene says, was to be told by Immigration NZ that he would be "unable to do the work or study on which the application is based".
For me, this is a natural condition, to move in a wheelchair, as it is a natural condition for you to walk.
"Yes, this is my health condition," Eugene told SBS Russian.
"I move in a wheelchair but damn it, I have been living in your country (New Zealand) for a year and a half, I graduated from university in Russia, I worked a lot. I have been with this condition all my life".
Eugene says it was a long-standing dream to study in an English-speaking country.
Eugene Liapin and his wife Liza Source: Supplied by Evgenii Liapin
"I saved my scholarship, pension, earnings from various projects. It took me about two-and-a-half years. Therefore, it was doubly insulting to be refused a working (visa) after such an expensive education."
Now, as his wife, Lisa, plans to stay and work in New Zealand, Eugene meanwhile, faces a flight back to Russia, alone, during the global coronavirus pandemic.
"This is about ABLEISM," he wrote on his Facebook page.
"This eugenic policy reflects an outdated belief that people with disabilities are a burden and that our contribution to society will never outweigh our potential costs."
Active lifestyle led in Russia
In Russia, Eugene led an active life, working as a theatre producer, as well as with NGOs.
He was also in the UNESCO World Youth Choir, and in 2015 he won in a Russian television show "President-2042", a political reality show with young participants debating the political scene. He also took part in the movement for the rights of LGBTIQ+ people with disabilities in Russia.
Eugene's political activism also included supporting the democratic party "Yabloko", participating in various protests in Russia - from single-person pickets to demonstrations.
"I supported Alexei Navalny, for Moscow parliament elections, and Ivan Golunov (a Russian investigative journalist, arrested in 2019 and later released). Every time a big event was happening I went out with a poster."
Eugene Liapin and Alexei Navalny. Mr. Liapin is an active participant of protest movement in Russia. Source: Supplied by Evgenii Liapin
Public support prompts reconsideration
Deciding not to give up the fight, Eugene wrote about his plight on Facebook, shared over 300 times, and gave interviews to journalists from Russia, New Zealand and SBS Russian in Australia.
SBS Russian put him in touch with a registered immigration agent for Australia and an official adviser for New Zealand, Nadezhda Zdelnik, who drew his attention to the strengths and weaknesses of the application.
A comment from Immigration NZ was also sought on Eugene's case.
Last week SBS Russian received an answer.
"Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has looked into the decision made in relation to Evgenii (Eugene) Liapin’s application for a .
"INZ has contacted Evgenii and invited him to apply for a reconsideration of this decision".
That same day, Eugene and Liza applied for reconsideration.
Eugene Liapin and his wife Liza Source: Supplied by Evgenii Liapin
In addition to new certificates and a cover letter, Evgeny attached to the application another important document - an offer of employment he had received in New Zealand.
“The work contract, which I have on hand, starts on July 1st. This is not a very big company, it makes denim toys for dogs. It's the position of a social media manager," he said.
Eugene and Lisa are now waiting for a revised decision from Immigration NZ.
UPDATE: On Friday 18th Immigration NZ granted Eugene's visa. “ It’s amazing feelings!", he wrote on his Facebook page.
"I wish everyone, at least once in their life, to find the strength to disagree with injustice and stand firmly, defending their rights. Trust me, it's worth it. "
