French resistance to unjust asylum laws

-22/06/06

A growing network of concerned indiv


French resistance to unjust asylum laws

-22/06/06

A growing network of concerned individuals motivated by humanitarian and religious concern is springing up across France ñ to resist the political systemís continual victimisation of asylum seekers and refugees, and to offer protection to threatened individuals and families.

The BBC yesterday (21 June 2006) reported on the case of a French teacher currently hiding two Congolese schoolchildren who fled the war in their country, because with their mother they otherwise face deportation back to a highly dangerous situation.

The woman risks imprisonment for her actions, but she was deeply moved by the plight of the children and felt that she had to do something. She has provided what the boysí mother describes as ìshelter, financial, personal and moral supportÖ she has been incredible.î

The teacher is part of a small, growing and largely unreported resistance movement against the tendency of populist politicians to try to win support by scapegoating migrants.

Sanctuary movements have also developed in the United States, Canada and a number of other developed countries ñ since it is global disparities in wealth which are worsening the refugee and asylum problems.

In the UK, the Churchesí Commission for Racial Justice, part of the ecumenical body Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, last year issued a guide to churches and others who may consider taking such steps in deportation cases involving evident injustices, though it stressed that it was not encouraging people to break the law.

In the USA, up to a million migrant workers marched in cities across the country in May, to highlight their hidden contribution to the nationís wealth, the need for decent and humane treatment, and the case for recognition of long-term ëillegalsí.

In Canada, where the Mennonite Church is among those trying to put across the human stories of migrants and the struggle of their lives, there have also been demonstrations, though on a much smaller scale.

By far the greatest difficulties with migration forced by war, hardship and human rights abuses are felt in the developing world ñ where the brunt of the challenge exists.

The United Nations High Commissioner for refugees recently issued a report which indicated that large-scale migrations are now a major feature of international life, and that the real answer is development, peace and security.

These questions are being highlighted by NGOs, churches and campaigners as part of Refugee Week (19-25 June 2006).

The government in Britain has talked of the possibility of offering an amnesty to long-term unregistered migrants in Britain. This idea has attracted support and sympathy from church and refugee groups, including the Catholic Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster.

But tabloids like the Daily Mail, in concert with the lobby group Migration Watch and politicians have been part of a public climate of fear on the issue.

A greatly exaggerated sense of the scale and impact of immigration on a rich country like Britain has been generated, say critics.

Those seeking a more radical approach, including Ekklesia, the UK Christian think tank, point out that in a world in which capital can migrate in an instant it is both impractical and immoral for national states to use harshly restrictive policies against people movements.

They contend that the long-term answer is to create the conditions of fairness which alone will create stability for both settlement and migration.

[Also on Ekklesia: Faith groups back alternatives to detention of migrants; Bishop attacks xenophobic bidding war over asylum and immigration; Catholic church publishes asylum seekers guide; Catholics to celebrate migrant workers; Cardinal suggests UK amnesty for illegal immigrants; UN and faith groups highlight harsh treatment of refugees; BNP exploit racist fears and ‘Christian country’ claims; Churches and mosques impacted by French uprisings; Archbishop questions sanctuary of asylum seekers at cathedral; Asylum victims attacked, destitute and vilified say reports; Theologian will attack asylum debate assumptions; Advent call to support UK asylum seekers; Are immigration controls moral? (an Ekklesia viewpoint); Churches join US rallies to support justice for migrants; Churches challenge Canada-US refugee agreement; European and US churches offer fresh support to immigrants]


French resistance to unjust asylum laws

-22/06/06

A growing network of concerned individuals motivated by humanitarian and religious concern is springing up across France ñ to resist the political systemís continual victimisation of asylum seekers and refugees, and to offer protection to threatened individuals and families.

The BBC yesterday (21 June 2006) reported on the case of a French teacher currently hiding two Congolese schoolchildren who fled the war in their country, because with their mother they otherwise face deportation back to a highly dangerous situation.

The woman risks imprisonment for her actions, but she was deeply moved by the plight of the children and felt that she had to do something. She has provided what the boysí mother describes as ìshelter, financial, personal and moral supportÖ she has been incredible.î

The teacher is part of a small, growing and largely unreported resistance movement against the tendency of populist politicians to try to win support by scapegoating migrants.

Sanctuary movements have also developed in the United States, Canada and a number of other developed countries ñ since it is global disparities in wealth which are worsening the refugee and asylum problems.

In the UK, the Churchesí Commission for Racial Justice, part of the ecumenical body Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, last year issued a guide to churches and others who may consider taking such steps in deportation cases involving evident injustices, though it stressed that it was not encouraging people to break the law.

In the USA, up to a million migrant workers marched in cities across the country in May, to highlight their hidden contribution to the nationís wealth, the need for decent and humane treatment, and the case for recognition of long-term ëillegalsí.

In Canada, where the Mennonite Church is among those trying to put across the human stories of migrants and the struggle of their lives, there have also been demonstrations, though on a much smaller scale.

By far the greatest difficulties with migration forced by war, hardship and human rights abuses are felt in the developing world ñ where the brunt of the challenge exists.

The United Nations High Commissioner for refugees recently issued a report which indicated that large-scale migrations are now a major feature of international life, and that the real answer is development, peace and security.

These questions are being highlighted by NGOs, churches and campaigners as part of Refugee Week (19-25 June 2006).

The government in Britain has talked of the possibility of offering an amnesty to long-term unregistered migrants in Britain. This idea has attracted support and sympathy from church and refugee groups, including the Catholic Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster.

But tabloids like the Daily Mail, in concert with the lobby group Migration Watch and politicians have been part of a public climate of fear on the issue.

A greatly exaggerated sense of the scale and impact of immigration on a rich country like Britain has been generated, say critics.

Those seeking a more radical approach, including Ekklesia, the UK Christian think tank, point out that in a world in which capital can migrate in an instant it is both impractical and immoral for national states to use harshly restrictive policies against people movements.

They contend that the long-term answer is to create the conditions of fairness which alone will create stability for both settlement and migration.

[Also on Ekklesia: Faith groups back alternatives to detention of migrants; Bishop attacks xenophobic bidding war over asylum and immigration; Catholic church publishes asylum seekers guide; Catholics to celebrate migrant workers; Cardinal suggests UK amnesty for illegal immigrants; UN and faith groups highlight harsh treatment of refugees; BNP exploit racist fears and ‘Christian country’ claims; Churches and mosques impacted by French uprisings; Archbishop questions sanctuary of asylum seekers at cathedral; Asylum victims attacked, destitute and vilified say reports; Theologian will attack asylum debate assumptions; Advent call to support UK asylum seekers; Are immigration controls moral? (an Ekklesia viewpoint); Churches join US rallies to support justice for migrants; Churches challenge Canada-US refugee agreement; European and US churches offer fresh support to immigrants]