Dr Jeanette Pinto –
Who is a refugee? A general understanding was, that a refugee Is a fugitive or runaway from law and order due to committing a crime, or someone who is afraid of a powerful person and is seeking shelter and safety elsewhere. Slaves who ran away from their masters were called fugitives. The modern definition of a refugee is, someone who has been forced to flee their home country because they are no longer safe there. They may be fleeing war, violence, persecution, or other serious threats. Refugees today even cross international borders to seek safety in another country.
In the US, a refugee is defined under U.S. law as someone who is unable or unwilling to return to their home country because of persecution or fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, or being a member of a particular social group, or political opinion. This definition is rooted in the 1951 Refugee Convention and the Refugee Act of 1980, which incorporated the convention’s definition into U.S. law. A refugee now is one who is not resettled elsewhere or in another country. People may also be considered as refugees if they are of special humanitarian concern to the United States.
In the United States, asylum is granted to individuals who are physically present in the country or arriving at a port of entry and can demonstrate they meet the definition of a refugee. This means they have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. The key requirements for asylum in the United States are physical presence, refugee status, and the fear of persecution in the home country. In India, asylum seekers also face the same fears as mentioned above.
Refugees are humans first, and so face numerous difficulties and challenges for resettlement including language barriers, finding stable housing and employment, transportation, lack of resources, and adapting to new cultures. After fleeing their homes and leaving everything behind, even the most basic household tasks can feel impossible. Refugees must wash, clothe, find shelter, and feed their families with only the supplies they were able to carry. They may also experience discrimination and prejudice, as well as struggles with healthcare access and mental health. It is indeed an incredible challenge at a time when fear and uncertainty are already overwhelming.
The impact is feelings of loneliness, loss of social support network, and discrimination is indescribable. Experiences of harassment from peers, adults, or law enforcement authorities, and with others who do not trust the refugee child and family. They are exposed to dangers of torture, punishment, imprisonment, physical or sexual assault, loss of livelihood, and losing close family or friends. Trauma may also be experienced on the migrants’ journeys to the new country some of which are long and perilous.
Refugees are entitled to the same basic human rights as everyone else, including the right to life, liberty, and security of person. They are entitled to the same basic human rights as everyone else, including the right to life, liberty, and security of person. They are also entitled to specific protections, such as the right to seek and enjoy asylum in other countries. International refugee law, which is part of international human rights law, provides for their protection and assistance.
Jesus, early in his life was a refugee. Are you surprised? Pope Francis reminded us that Jesus himself came from the margins, was born in a stable, forced to flee as a refugee and raised in an insignificant town. Remember, King Herod the Great, was angry that the three Magi left without meeting him on their return. Thus, being ruler of Judea, he ordered the execution of all male children aged two years old and under in the vicinity of Bethlehem. This event is known as the “Massacre of the Innocents”.
St. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus was warned in a dream by an angel of the danger to the life of the new born baby, so Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus fled to Egypt and sought refuge there. The family as such were temporarily displaced persons, forced by Roman law, first to go to Bethlehem for the census. Then this order, forced migration and the subsequent life they led in Egypt, before eventually returning to Galilee. This places Jesus and his family within the category of refugees.
World Refugee Day, is observed annually on June 20th. It is a United Nations-designated day to commemorate the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and to raise awareness about the plight of refugees worldwide. It is an opportunity to shed light on the challenges faced by refugees, including displacement, discrimination, and lack of access to basic services. It is also to celebrate their resilience and hope, promote empathy and understanding. It is a call to action for governments, organizations, and individuals to work towards finding lasting solutions to refugee crises and ensuring the protection of all displaced people. Finally, it is to highlight the refugee experience, encourage inclusion and acceptance to welcoming refugees into host communities and promoting their inclusion in all aspects of society.
Dr Jeanette Pinto, an educator for the past 5 decades, headed the Department of History was Vice Principal of St. Xavier’s College Mumbai, and retired as Principal of Sophia College, Mumbai. She is a counsellor and conductor of Personal Enrichment Programmes for students and teachers.
She set up the Human Life Committee in the Archdiocese of Bombay. As a sex educator she has given talks on Human Sexuality in India and abroad. In 2014 she received the Rachana Outstanding Woman of the Year for her Pro-life work presented by the Diocese of Mangalore. She has attended many National and International Pro-life conferences and given talks at other fora on various women’s issues.
She is author of a couple of books, her most recent ones are titled: I’m Pro-Life Are you? & Sex Talk: Parent to Child. She has also written a number of articles on a variety of themes and subjects, which have been published in research journals, The Examiner and other Catholic publications.