People movements

“Tens of thousands of people are on the move. Not thinking about them, not doing anything for them are not options for caring Christians.” Alistair Brown BMS World Mission General Director

Asylum seekers & refugees: protecting human rights Asylum seekers are people who have moved across an international border in search of protection under the 1951 Refugee Convention, but whose claim for refugee status has not yet been determined. Refugees are people residing outside their country of nationality, who are unable or unwilling to return because of a ‘well- founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a political social group, or political opinion’. D E F I N I T I O N S

Asylum seekers & refugees: protecting human rights Asylum seekers Refugees 596,000 in 151 countries 14.2 million worldwide

Asylum seekers & refugees: protecting human rights Take Iraq… –Escalating violence –But over 85 per cent of Iraqi asylum seeker applications are rejected by many industrialised countries

Asylum seekers & refugees: protecting human rights “Many of us rarely, if ever, question these labels.” ‘bogus’ ‘illegal’ ‘fraudulent’ ‘scroungers’ ‘criminals’ ? ? ? ? ?

Asylum seekers & refugees: protecting human rights “To protect those who flee persecution is one of the most basic expressions of human solidarity. We must ensure that this principle survives in the age of mass migrations and war against terror.” (UNHCR)

Forced migration: the consequences

Top five countries of origin of refugees: Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia Almost 75 per cent of the world’s refugees are hosted by countries with a per capita income of less than $2,000 European countries host only four per cent of refugees and asylum seekers worldwide FACTS: REFUGEES

Forced migration: the consequences Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are people who have been forced to flee their homes suddenly or unexpectedly, and who are within the territory of their own country FACTS: IDPs

Forced migration: the consequences Internally displaced persons (IDPs) FACTS: IDPs million IDPs worldwide per cent of IDPs are women and children

Forced migration: the consequences Reduced… …education …employment opportunities …health (eg malnutrition, HIV infection) …human rights (eg violence, forced labour) Consequences suffered by those forced to migrate:

Urbanisation: city survivors Case study: Guayaquil, Ecuador Population of three million Over half of over-11s are forced to work High unemployment and underemployment

Urbanisation: city survivors “Los Vergeles, where we work, is a poor community of 45,000 people. Most of them do not originate from Guayquil, but have come in search of a better life. Many never find it. However, this neighbourhood… is a tremendous opportunity for the gospel.” Pray for… Peter and Vicki Butchers, working amongst the urban poor in Guayaquil

Bible reflection and discussion What does the Bible say about refugees, the homeless and persecuted? (Heb 11: 8-9; 1 Cor 4: 11; Ps 107: 4,7; Acts 8: 1,3) Israel was commanded to have compassion on foreigners (Lev 19: 33-34; Ex 22: 21; 23: 9). Is your church following their example? What did Jesus say about refugees? What did he experience? (Matt 2: 13-15; 8: 20; 25: 35)

Bible reflection and discussion “The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” (Ps 9: 9)