"Refugee Speech"
by Isabella LeBlanc
One out of every 200 children worldwide is a refugee. The refugee crisis that is currently taking place in many locations in the world should be of deep concern to all people. As of 2016, 65.6 million people around the world have been forced from their homes. There are currently 22.5 million refugees, 70% of whom are women and children, and half are innocent children under the age of eighteen. These people are escaping dire conflicts in their countries of origin and are fleeing for their safety alone. Unfortunately, only 189,300 of these people were permanently resettled. The world is facing the largest refugee and displacement crisis since World War II. It is appalling that 20 people are forcibly displaced from their homeland every minute, people are denied their own nationality and the right to obtain basic rights. It is critical that we take action. The myriad of refugee crisis are a critical issue in the world today due to factors such as the monumental number of displaced people, limited funding and awareness, as well as limited integration of refugees into stable countries.
There is an abundance of people around the world that do not live in stable regions, these people need to have their voices heard so that they are given the opportunities necessary to be successful in their lives. Myanmar is a country located in Southeast Asia. Currently, the world’s fastest growing refugee crisis is taking place there. The crisis began in 2015 and is still taking place today. Rohingya is an ethnic Muslim minority group that is not officially recognized by the government of Myanmar. Rohingya people are not doing anything against the laws of the country and are being persecuted for absolutely no reason. They are being denied basic human rights and freedoms such as working, education, medication, or even moving about freely. Rohingya people face inhumane conditions and extreme abuse in Myanmar. Unfortunately, there are amounts of violence in Myanmar between the minority group and military forces causing refugees and displaced people. 140,000 people are displaced and nearly 900,000 refugees have fled Myanmar. The United Nations declared that Rohingyas as the most persecuted minority in the world. This crisis is a textbook example of ethnic cleansing, the government of Myanmar is trying to rid itself of an entire group of people, yet have absolutely no reason to not accept these people into their society. Similarly, the Syrian conflict has been occurring since 2011. It is almost incomprehensible that about half of Syria’s population has been killed or become refugees since the war started seven years ago. 4.8 million people have fled to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq and 6.6 million people are internationally displaced within Syria. The Syrian Refugee crisis is one of the largest refugee exoduses in history. Due to the Syrian Civil war and the millions of people that it has displaced, the growth rate of Syria is decreasing rapidly. Every fifteen seconds a Syrian becomes a refugee. When a refugee is escaping conflict, they must either choose either an asylum in Europe or refugee camp that is overcrowded. Either way, they are placed in grave danger in leaving their home country without permission, traveling often for Syrians on overcrowded boats, and in resettling and trying to establish a new life in a foreign country. Only about 170,000 refugees were permanently resettled in 2016, a miniscule number compared to how many were originally displaced.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The document was the first time that all 193 member states of the United Nations agreed on the rights all people deserve across the globe. The first article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” This clause is the most fundamental law written in the declaration. It describes that every individual should receive the same treatment regardless of how they look or where they come from. Each person deserves their basic human rights no matter where they originated. It clearly announces that people should act towards one another fondly and in a professional and loving manner. The second article reveals that, “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.” Article two directly displays that each person on this planet is accepted by their actions, but not their looks or their background. They are entitled to their own opinions and they can say what is on their mind. Additionally, a person should not be treated differently if they are from a different country or speak a different language. It is paramount that all citizens are informed of this declaration and are taught about other cultures and beliefs. Through education and raising awareness, nonindigenous people will be accepted for who they truly are, not who they are prejudged to be. It is important for people to share their knowledge on the topic of refugees and displaced people, so when more people are concerned more actions will be taken. Besides, the United States’ military and defense budget is 601 billion dollars every year. Yet, only 1.2 billion dollars are given to the United Nations over two years. This seems to be out of proportion since the United Nations fights for peace., whereas the military, although for our protection, is out to cause destruction. Support from the United Nations, funding through individuals citizens fundraisers, and local organizations would raise awareness and could be a contributing solution to the problem.
Furthermore, many countries are reluctant to integrate refugees into their societies for valid reasons. These reasons include the hassle of making a large group of people permanent citizens or supplying guest visas, job security, and the fear of terrorism. Fortunately, Turkey has successfully taken in the most Syrian refugees totaling at 1.8 million people. Other nations should follow in Turkey’s footsteps and use a similar system to integrate new people into countries worldwide. Another leading country, Kenya, is home to the largest refugee camp called Dadaab which houses over 300,000 people in fifteen square miles. Two-thirds of the people of this camp are under eighteen years old. In Kenya, most refugees come from neighboring Somalia. The Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait have taken in zero refugees. These countries refuse to open their borders, yet Kuwait has been the largest donor to the Syrian crisis. Kuwait gave $800 million since 2012 which is nearly one-third of the emergency aid that Syria has received. Countries around the world are reluctant to take in refugees for the fear that a refugee could be a terrorist or could cause danger in that nation. Only .00038 refugees are terrorists, meaning that is is extremely rare that a terrorist would even attempt to sneak into a country posing as a refugee. Refugees are beneficial to a society, and are of assistance to the economy of a country. Statistics show that a country’s gross domestic product will increase. According to Al-Monitor, for every 10 percent increase in diversity, data showed a 2.1 percent rise in Turkish GDP per capita. In summary, although it may bring some anxiety it would be more beneficial to the world as one to allow refugees into all nations. At this critical point in history, refugees have become thought of as something that they are not. Refugees are people fleeing from dire conflict and wanting safety, they do not want to cause dilemmas. Every individual should be aware of the negative stereotypes and labels that have been plastered to refugees. Every person should attempt to make a difference in their community in honor and support to show their knowledge and to spread this information to others.
The growing situation of refugees should be a priority in the world today. There are millions displaced who are not receiving their basic human rights such as education, clean water, and their own dignity. All countries must increase their funding, support, and allow for these hard-working people to be integrated into their societies. Why must people be more concerned for their safety than the safety of millions? Why is it that people fleeing a conflict for their own safety are treated as the problem themselves? How can people live jubilantly in their own utopian country when others are in dire conditions? A UNICEF representative once said when addressing the issue of child refugees, “We’ve already taken away their childhood. Let’s not take away their future too.” Overall, all countries must unite to find a peaceful and effective solution for all people. Every individual deserves the same fundamental rights and is entitled to live in comfort and tranquility. This can only be achieved through negotiations and diplomatic relations between nations.
by Isabella LeBlanc
One out of every 200 children worldwide is a refugee. The refugee crisis that is currently taking place in many locations in the world should be of deep concern to all people. As of 2016, 65.6 million people around the world have been forced from their homes. There are currently 22.5 million refugees, 70% of whom are women and children, and half are innocent children under the age of eighteen. These people are escaping dire conflicts in their countries of origin and are fleeing for their safety alone. Unfortunately, only 189,300 of these people were permanently resettled. The world is facing the largest refugee and displacement crisis since World War II. It is appalling that 20 people are forcibly displaced from their homeland every minute, people are denied their own nationality and the right to obtain basic rights. It is critical that we take action. The myriad of refugee crisis are a critical issue in the world today due to factors such as the monumental number of displaced people, limited funding and awareness, as well as limited integration of refugees into stable countries.
There is an abundance of people around the world that do not live in stable regions, these people need to have their voices heard so that they are given the opportunities necessary to be successful in their lives. Myanmar is a country located in Southeast Asia. Currently, the world’s fastest growing refugee crisis is taking place there. The crisis began in 2015 and is still taking place today. Rohingya is an ethnic Muslim minority group that is not officially recognized by the government of Myanmar. Rohingya people are not doing anything against the laws of the country and are being persecuted for absolutely no reason. They are being denied basic human rights and freedoms such as working, education, medication, or even moving about freely. Rohingya people face inhumane conditions and extreme abuse in Myanmar. Unfortunately, there are amounts of violence in Myanmar between the minority group and military forces causing refugees and displaced people. 140,000 people are displaced and nearly 900,000 refugees have fled Myanmar. The United Nations declared that Rohingyas as the most persecuted minority in the world. This crisis is a textbook example of ethnic cleansing, the government of Myanmar is trying to rid itself of an entire group of people, yet have absolutely no reason to not accept these people into their society. Similarly, the Syrian conflict has been occurring since 2011. It is almost incomprehensible that about half of Syria’s population has been killed or become refugees since the war started seven years ago. 4.8 million people have fled to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq and 6.6 million people are internationally displaced within Syria. The Syrian Refugee crisis is one of the largest refugee exoduses in history. Due to the Syrian Civil war and the millions of people that it has displaced, the growth rate of Syria is decreasing rapidly. Every fifteen seconds a Syrian becomes a refugee. When a refugee is escaping conflict, they must either choose either an asylum in Europe or refugee camp that is overcrowded. Either way, they are placed in grave danger in leaving their home country without permission, traveling often for Syrians on overcrowded boats, and in resettling and trying to establish a new life in a foreign country. Only about 170,000 refugees were permanently resettled in 2016, a miniscule number compared to how many were originally displaced.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The document was the first time that all 193 member states of the United Nations agreed on the rights all people deserve across the globe. The first article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” This clause is the most fundamental law written in the declaration. It describes that every individual should receive the same treatment regardless of how they look or where they come from. Each person deserves their basic human rights no matter where they originated. It clearly announces that people should act towards one another fondly and in a professional and loving manner. The second article reveals that, “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.” Article two directly displays that each person on this planet is accepted by their actions, but not their looks or their background. They are entitled to their own opinions and they can say what is on their mind. Additionally, a person should not be treated differently if they are from a different country or speak a different language. It is paramount that all citizens are informed of this declaration and are taught about other cultures and beliefs. Through education and raising awareness, nonindigenous people will be accepted for who they truly are, not who they are prejudged to be. It is important for people to share their knowledge on the topic of refugees and displaced people, so when more people are concerned more actions will be taken. Besides, the United States’ military and defense budget is 601 billion dollars every year. Yet, only 1.2 billion dollars are given to the United Nations over two years. This seems to be out of proportion since the United Nations fights for peace., whereas the military, although for our protection, is out to cause destruction. Support from the United Nations, funding through individuals citizens fundraisers, and local organizations would raise awareness and could be a contributing solution to the problem.
Furthermore, many countries are reluctant to integrate refugees into their societies for valid reasons. These reasons include the hassle of making a large group of people permanent citizens or supplying guest visas, job security, and the fear of terrorism. Fortunately, Turkey has successfully taken in the most Syrian refugees totaling at 1.8 million people. Other nations should follow in Turkey’s footsteps and use a similar system to integrate new people into countries worldwide. Another leading country, Kenya, is home to the largest refugee camp called Dadaab which houses over 300,000 people in fifteen square miles. Two-thirds of the people of this camp are under eighteen years old. In Kenya, most refugees come from neighboring Somalia. The Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait have taken in zero refugees. These countries refuse to open their borders, yet Kuwait has been the largest donor to the Syrian crisis. Kuwait gave $800 million since 2012 which is nearly one-third of the emergency aid that Syria has received. Countries around the world are reluctant to take in refugees for the fear that a refugee could be a terrorist or could cause danger in that nation. Only .00038 refugees are terrorists, meaning that is is extremely rare that a terrorist would even attempt to sneak into a country posing as a refugee. Refugees are beneficial to a society, and are of assistance to the economy of a country. Statistics show that a country’s gross domestic product will increase. According to Al-Monitor, for every 10 percent increase in diversity, data showed a 2.1 percent rise in Turkish GDP per capita. In summary, although it may bring some anxiety it would be more beneficial to the world as one to allow refugees into all nations. At this critical point in history, refugees have become thought of as something that they are not. Refugees are people fleeing from dire conflict and wanting safety, they do not want to cause dilemmas. Every individual should be aware of the negative stereotypes and labels that have been plastered to refugees. Every person should attempt to make a difference in their community in honor and support to show their knowledge and to spread this information to others.
The growing situation of refugees should be a priority in the world today. There are millions displaced who are not receiving their basic human rights such as education, clean water, and their own dignity. All countries must increase their funding, support, and allow for these hard-working people to be integrated into their societies. Why must people be more concerned for their safety than the safety of millions? Why is it that people fleeing a conflict for their own safety are treated as the problem themselves? How can people live jubilantly in their own utopian country when others are in dire conditions? A UNICEF representative once said when addressing the issue of child refugees, “We’ve already taken away their childhood. Let’s not take away their future too.” Overall, all countries must unite to find a peaceful and effective solution for all people. Every individual deserves the same fundamental rights and is entitled to live in comfort and tranquility. This can only be achieved through negotiations and diplomatic relations between nations.