Every action counts for refugees

"...this is a painful truth; our world is daily more and more elitist, more cruel towards the excluded...Today, the culture of comfort… makes us think only of ourselves, makes us insensitive to the cries of other people… which results in indifference to others; indeed, it even leads to the globalization of indifference" (Pope Francis).

Leela Ramdeen writes from Trinidad & Tobago: The theme for World Refugee Day, June 20, is: "Every Action Counts." "The COVID-19 pandemic and the recent anti-racism protests have shown us how desperately we need to fight for a more inclusive and equal world: a world where no one is left behind. It has never been clearer that all of us have a role to play in order to bring about change. Everyone can make a difference. This is at the heart of UNHCR's World Refugee Day campaign... everyone, including refugees, can contribute to society and Every Action Counts in the effort to create a more just, inclusive, and equal world. " (UN)

There are nearly 30 million refugees in the world - over half are under 18. The 1951 Refugee Convention defines a refugee as: "someone who is unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion."

The Convention and its 1967 Protocol help protect refugees. "The 1951 Convention contains a number of rights and also highlights the obligations of refugees towards their host country. The cornerstone of the 1951 Convention is the principle of non-refoulement. According to this principle, a refugee should not be returned to a country where he or she faces serious threats to his or her life or freedom" (UN) - except in certain circumstances e.g. if reasonably regarded as a danger to the security of the country.

Although TT acceded to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol in 2000, we have not ratified these. In 2014, TT's Cabinet adopted a national policy to address asylum and refugee matters, but in the absence of legislation, refugees are denied many of the rights outlined in these two international Treaties.

Pope Francis has reminded us that "protecting the world's migrants and refugees is a moral imperative". They have come to our shores from over 30 countries. Living Water Community (LWC), a Catholic Ecclesial Community, has been working with migrants and refugees for over 30 years and is the implementing partner of UNHCR.

In 2018 Archbishop established the Archdiocese's Ministry for Migrants and Refugees (AMMR), which I Chair, and which falls within the remit of CCSJ. Simone Francois-Whittier, AMMR's Coordinator, and I have been working to assist parishes/Parish Ministries for Migrants and Refugees (PMMRs) in their efforts to do as Pope Francis has said: welcome, protect, promote, and integrate migrants and refugees. We are establishing partnerships with a number of local and international agencies responsible for migrants matters e.g. UNICEF, International Organisation for Migration, the International Catholic Migration Commission, TT's Counter Trafficking Unit, the Children's Authority.

Twenty parishes are actively seeking to meet the needs of migrants, refugees and their children. For example, five parishes have established Child Friendly Spaces (CFSes) that provide opportunities for Venezuelan children to engage in activities that include learning functional English, and maintaining aspects of their own culture e.g. language. LWC runs a number of what is termed Equal Spaces for migrant children. AMMR is working with partners to develop a standard curriculum for our CFSes. Sadly, while the Catholic Church has identified spaces for more than 2,000 Venezuelan children in our schools, the Minister of National Security has not yet authorised the Catholic Education Board of Management to receive them.

Like all human beings, they require food, shelter, employment, access to health care, education etc. COVID-19 has impacted adversely on many in TT, including migrants and refugees. Many have lost their jobs and some have had to leave their rented accommodation in the absence of funds. We thank the individuals and organisations that have supported our work during the pandemic - providing hampers of food and non-food items.

It's heartening to note that the Government has agreed to extend the registration of Venezuelan migrants who signed up to work and stay in TT for a one-year period. An unknown number have not registered and we must not forget their needs also.

Let's reach out in love and solidarity with migrants and refugees; build bridges of hope and an inclusive society.

Leela Ramdeen is Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, (CCSJ) , Director of CREDI and Chair of AMMR (Archdiocese Ministry for Migrants and Refugees)

LINK
Refugee Week 15-20 June 2020 - https://refugeeweek.org.uk/