Day 134: About World Refugee Day

I just received an e-mail about the World Refugee Day (June 20) from a respectable man I know back in Bangkok, and I'm posting it here for your sake:

Dear Friends,

In 2000, The United Nations General Assembly designated the 20 June of each year as World Refugee Day to recognise and celebrate the contribution of refugees throughout the world. It is a day to acknowledge and salute the spirit and courage of these people. They have fled their countries of origin to escape persecution, the threat of imprisonment and even threats to their lives.

The intolerance that refugees have experienced in their homelands is also present in some of the countries where they seek sanctuary. As it is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, Thailand is one such country. Instead of finding empathy and understanding from the authorities here, refugees discover that they are considered illegal immigrants and daily face the threat of arrest, detention and possible deportation back to the countries they have fled. As a result of their illegal status, they are not permitted to work and have no means of supporting themselves or their families. Many experience mistrust or scorn and find it difficult to to gain acceptance here in Thailand.

The theme for World Refugee Day 2009 is Real People, Real Needs. This theme is so very relevant here in Thailand as a result of the hardships refugees face on a daily basis. The Bangkok Refugee Center, with the help of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), exists to bridge some of the gaps by providing medical, psychosocial, educational services and some material support to refugees.

Let us not forget asylum seekers, those seeking refugee status, whose needs are even greater because they do not receive much of the help provided to refugees. Through the generosity of its donor community, the Bangkok Refugee Center has been able to provide some essentials like basic medical care, emergency financial assistance for accomodation and material support.

There are 2118 refugees and asylum seekers from 44 countries currently in Bangkok for which the Bangkok Refugee Center is responsible.

You too can help the Bangkok Refugee Center's work with asylum seekers by your cheque donation made payable to COERR/BRC (Asylum Seekers). Mail your personal or bank cheque to the contact and address listed below.

Alternatively, you may be able to organise an electronic funds transfer through your local bank. The account name to which such bank transfers should be made payable is COERR/BRC (Asylum Seekers). The account number and name is 098-0-07783-4, Krungthai Bank, Suthisarn Branch, Bangkok, Thailand.

A PDF receipt will be emailed to you upon confirmation of receipt of your donation and if requested by you via email.

The difference between refugees, asylum seekers and the rest of us is our respective circumstance. let us not forget that some day any one of us could find ourselves without a country to call home, little else but the clothes on our back and bleak prospects for the future. Refugees and asylum seekers crave the normalcy of life that many of us take for granted. So, because we know we can, let us give them our full support and encouragement in dealing with their day to day hardships and their quest for a better life.

While most refugees and asylum seekers want to go home, the majority cannot safely return. But wherever they are, refugees will always strive to pick up the pieces and start over. The courage and determination demonstrated during their darkest hours will serve them well in rebuilding a new life.

On Saturday June 20 - World Refugee Day, let us honour them for these qualities and recognise the richness and diversity they bring to our societies.

Your support means so much to our refugee and asylum seeker community. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Arthur Mangan.
Resource Mobilization & Volunteer Recruitment Officer
Bangkok Refugee Center