WCC News: Faith-based leaders release statement to Global Refugee Forum: “seeking asylum is a basic human right”

In a message to the Global Refugee Forum released 12 December, faith-based leaders underscored their commitment to offering sanctuary for refugees as well defending their human rights.  Symbolizing peace and solidarity, refugees coming from different parts of the world presented olive trees to the moderators of the event. Photo: Peter Williams/WCC 12 December 2023 “We recognise that while our commitments are important contributions, there are more humanitarian needs than humanitarian resources available for the 36.4 million refugees worldwide today,” reads the message. “The consequences are stark, affecting displaced people and the communities hosting them.” The Global Refugee Forum is being held in Geneva from 13-15 December.  "We challenge the representations of refugees in our media, reminding ourselves and our communities that seeking asylum is a basic human right and that attitudes and policies can create real-life harm, marginalizing and dehumanizing people who are escaping war, disaster, and persecution,” reads the message. “We commit to uniting around our common values, goals, and activities and establishing effective and long-lasting partnerships to protect and support refugees, those displaced by climate change and their host countries, magnifying the impact of everyone’s efforts.” The faith-based leaders pledged to continue speaking up and defending the individual right to seek asylum. “We will advocate for safe passage, humanitarian corridors, and facilitation of humanitarian visas,” the message reads. “We recognize the contribution of refugees. They bring their skills, ambitions, courage, and dreams for peace to their communities through forgiveness and reconciliation.” They concluded by welcoming the opportunity the Global Refugee Forum provides to work inter-religiously and with other sectors.  “We pledge concrete action to support refugees,” concludes the message. “We commit to using our voices to show that change is possible and that there is a path from despair to hope and from hope to action. We call on religious leaders everywhere to join us.” Statement: Religious Leaders Unite for Climate Peace in Solidarity with Refugees Address by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the WCC Town-Hall Discussion on Interfaith Dialogue, Climate Change, and Refugee Displacement Message of the H.E. Archbishop Dr Aykazian Vicken at the Religious Leaders Unite for Climate Peace in Solidarity with Refugees Photo gallery from the Inter-Religious Ceremony for Peace in Solidarity with Refugees “God empowers refugees and displaced people" (WCC news release on the inter-religious ceremony, 12 December 2023) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland