The World Day of Migrants and Refugees celebrated in the Catholic Church around the world complements the earlier World Day of Refugees sponsored by the United Nations. The theme chosen in Australia for the latter was ‘A million stories’. It reminded us that refugees are not just numbers but persons, each of whom has their own story. It also celebrates the stories of the million people who have come to Australia on humanitarian visas since the Second World War.
The World Day, however, also draws attention to the present needs of refugees and migrants in a world that has closed hearts, eyes, ears and doors to refugees. Refugees are repelled, expelled, locked up and targeted when they seek protection. They are treated not as persons but as numbers, their humanity disregarded. In this demonisation of refugees and immigrants Australia is a leader.
Each year the Pope sends a message for the World Day. This year he entitles his Message ‘Even just as One of These Children’ to point to the suffering of young people when forced from their own land and culture:
‘Even just one of these children,’ draws our attention to the minors directly involved in the experience of migration and flight, to the care owed to them, and to the Lord’s promise that “whoever receives one such child in my name receives me” (Mk 9:37). Minors are the most vulnerable group within the global movements of migration. They are concrete faces, who have unique stories, and call on our conscience. Every year, millions of children and adolescents are forced to leave their homeland because of war, poverty, violence, environmental disasters and other tragedies.
The suffering of children shows why refugees matter and why we should continue to accompany them and to plead their cause. For human beings to live decently, not being killed or allowed to die is not enough. The risk of death leads many people to flee their homes and to become refugees. As our fellow human beings, however, they deserve more of us than this. To live life fully demands the freedom to go where we please, to live with our family, to associate with friends, to start a family, to have access to education and work, and to enjoy protection under the rule of law.
Refugees who have come to Australia have shown how great a gift they bring us when they are given the freedom to live fully. We should not be surprised by this. They needed great spirit and resilience to leave their homes and to come to Australia. It is no wonder that in their number have made an enormous contribution to Australia.
In Australia our refugee policy has shamefully focused on denying freedom to people who come to ask protection of us to deter other people from making such claims. Innocent people are pushed back, forced to exist in the community without support, are held in detention, or are excluded from finding a home should they have come near Australia. They face a living death.
In other wealthy nations people who need protection are hounded from their homes, expelled from their host nations, pushed back, allowed to drown at sea, pushed back and forbidden citizenship. In wealthy lands they are condemned to live in a wasteland. In this world Pope Leo calls for a change of perspective.
The focus of the debate must shift from the mere management of migration to the full and immediate protection of human rights, adopting ‘a coordinated, supportive and effective response, capable of guaranteeing protection, welcome and genuine opportunities for integration to those who migrate.
Fr Andrew Hamilton SJ writes for Jesuit Communications and Jesuit Social Services.
