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| Refugee
Restriction after
September 11th September 11, 2003 |
| Never
has the global community felt so vulnerable as it did after 9/11.
That vulnerability has reflected itself through a recent shift in Canada's
immigration policy. Canada has shifted its focus from compassion to the
needy to national security. Is Canada willing to continue its offer
of justice and hospitality? Or will Canada deny basic human rights
to those knocking on its doors?
Canada has earned a reputation for taking human rights seriously and for offering a generous welcome to refugees. If we are regarding as among the best in the world, it is not because we are perfect but because the internationally standards are so low. Refugees have lost their homes, jobs, communities, and families. Although refugees work hard at adapting themselves to their new surroundings integration is a two-way street. Canadians must continue to offer full support and opportunities to refugees until they can re-establish their lives. |
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| Quotable Quotes | |
| When
an alien lives with you in your land love him as yourself.
-
Leviticus 19:33
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| The
alien living with you must be treated as one of your native born. Love
him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt.
-
Lev.19:34
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| [God]
defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien,
giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens,
for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt.
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Deut 10:18-19
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| Do
not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have entertained
angels without knowing it.
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Hebrew 13:2
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| Everyone
has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of
each state. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his
own, and to return to his country.
-
Article 13, General Assembly of the United Nations
Universal Declaration of Human Rights December 10, 1948 |
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| Refugees
are legally defined as people who are outside their countries because of
well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, [or]
nationality...and who cannot or do not want to return home.
-
United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees |
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| Many
legitimate refugees aren't reaching countries of asylum...because of the
fortress-like mentality that has encroached upon the world in the aftermath
of September 11.
-
Sharryn Aiken, Assistant Professor
Immigration and Refugee Law Queens University |
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| Factoids | |
| Half
of claimants [49%] have been granted in 2000
-
Immigration and Refugee Board
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| 1
out of every 162 persons in the world is a refugee or has been forcibly
displaced within the boarders of their own country. Canada hosts
1 refugee for every 443 people. Jordan 1:3. Lebanon 1:11.
Iran 1:26.
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US Committee for Refugees
World Refugee Survey 2002 December 31, 2001 |
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| In
2001, Canada contributed US$32.9 million in financial assistance to UHNCR,
IOM and UNRWA. This represents $1.06 per capita. Canada ranked
11th in the world in dollars contributed.
-
US Committee for Refugees
World Refugee Survey 2002 December 31, 2001 |
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| There
19.8 million refugees in more than 120 countries.
-
www.unhcr.ch
United Nations High Commission for Refugees |
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| 32,700
people made refugee claims at Canada's borders in 2002. That is down
by more than 25 % from the tally in 2001
-
Toronto Star, October 3, 2002
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| Nationally,
refugee claims are down 35 per cent. At Toronto's Pearson airport,
where most refugees enter, the numbers are down by more than 60 per cent.
-
cbc.ca,
May 15, 2002
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| 70
% of labour force growth in Canada is attributable to new immigrants.
-
Globe and Mail , July 4, 2003
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| 43.7
% of current Toronto residents were born outside Canada
-
Globe and Mail, July 4, 2003
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| Guest Information & Links | |
| Morteza
Jafarpour came to Canada over ten years ago as refugee from Iran.
He is now the Executive Director and Founder of Settlement and Integration
Service Organization. SISO aids refugees in the relocation process
by connecting them to their surrounding community.
Scott and Vicki McCracken are refugee missionaries. They have been serving with International Teams since 1986. They are presently located in Greece but originally started out in Austria. Helen
Smrcek was also located in Austria. But she was not there as
a relief worker. She was there as a refugee. Helen meet Jesus
Christ through the McCracken's compassion. Helen has been a Canadian
citizen for the past fifteen years and Listen Up's Office Coordinator for
the past year.
International
Team
World
Vision Canada
Refugee
Highway Partnership
Christian
Reformed World Relief Committee
United
Nations High Commission for Refugees
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| Getting
Involved
Anne
Woolger is willing to take on new refugee volunteers. If your interested
in getting involved contact her at:
Anne
Woolger, executive director
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