Statement by Richard Parkins
Episcopal News Service. June 20, 2001 [2001-159]
Richard Parkins, executive director of Episcopal Migration Ministries, released the following statement on the first International Refugee Day (June20):
As the world refugee population reaches the staggering and tragic number of 14.5 million, the challenge to all of us on this day committed to remembering the plight of refugees and their courage in seeking protection from persecution is enormous. Behind these daunting statistics are the lives of individuals, each of whom has a story of devastation to tell. As people of faith, we must never forget that suffering is personal and so is redemption. As we enter into the suffering of those whose lives have been brutally disrupted, let us also commit ourselves to creating possibilities of hope for these sisters and brothers.
On this special day, we are reminded that rescuing some number of refugees from a protracted stay in a camp is still our business. As this church through Episcopal Migration Ministries and the many dioceses and parishes that partner with us sponsor around 3000 refugees every year, we are not only making resurrection happen for those whom we serve but also sending a message of hope to refugees everywhere. Regrettably, far too many refugees remain in limbo, separated from family and friends, awaiting the chance for repatriation or resettlement. The challenge is increasing possibilities worldwide for resettling a larger portion of the world refugee population or creating conditions for their safe repatriation. Reversing the trend toward lower admissions in the United States would be an important place to begin. The capacity and spirit for being more generous in receiving desperate newcomers is there.
The past year has seen a marked decline in contributions to the work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The result is a drastic reduction in the resources needed to protect refugees from hunger and violence and to facilitate either their repatriation or resettlement. While the United States has been a strong contributor to the UNHCR, other parts of the Western world have curtailed support for the humanitarian assistance which the UNHCR provides. If this trend continues, more refugees will find their so called flight to safety one of ongoing despair.
Over the past five years, we have experienced a shocking increase in the number of persons held in detention because they were so audacious as to seek freedom and justice on our shores. With the passage of immigration control legislation in 1996, the US adopted some of the most restrictive asylum policies of any Western nation. The record is replete with stories about persons who have fled persecution, only to have their pleas for safety greeted by a period of incarceration - sometimes of several months and even years. Surely the quest for freedom and justice in a land which has historically proclaimed a commitment to both should not be prefaced by a prison stint. This year holds forth the possibility of legislation which will ameliorate some of the more egregious provisions of the 1996 law. We can all voice support for this urgently needed reform.
Invariably we encounter reminders that root causes need to be addressed so that an escalation of the worldwide refugee population will not continue. The leadership role of our Church in seeking debt forgiveness and in providing resources to so many parts of the Anglican Communion as churches around the world attempt to alleviate suffering and build systems that bring relief and stability to impoverished brothers and sisters are examples of where avenues of hope have been opened up.
World Refugee Day is an occasion to commit ourselves to some form of engagement with the world refugee crisis. Service and advocacy opportunities abound. This is also a good time to be reminded of the courage of refugees, their extraordinary contributions to our nation, and our individual and collective efforts to bring a modicum of hope to a part of the world which has not enjoyed the abundance and safety which for so many is a given.