Refugee Crisis

Post date: Sep 09, 2015 2:47:32 PM

Refugee Crisis: statement by MK Council of Faiths

MK Religious leaders unite to urge the Government to take immediate action on refugee crisis.

The recent photos of the little Syrian boy washed up drowned on a beach in Turkey have touched many people’s hearts, but he was just one of the thousands of refugees fleeing the war in Syria to die in the attempt to reach safety in Europe.

There are over 4 million refugees who have fled Syria, with most in camps in neighbouring countries and another 6 million internally displaced persons.

All faith leaders at a recent meeting of the MK Council of Faiths were united in their belief that the refugee crisis should be approached with compassion and urgency.  They were unanimous in their concern which arises directly from all the faith traditions represented.

People of faith have a duty to help the dispossessed and homeless, and Britain has a long history of helping refugees. Many citizens want to do what they can to help.

The Syrian refugee crisis is the biggest since World War 2, and to the extent that the West has contributed to the destabilisation of the region which has caused the crisis, it has a clear moral obligation towards the resultant refugees.

 MK Faith leaders welcome the Government’s change of heart and the announcement that Britain will take some Syrian refugees, but believe a coordinated approach with European colleagues would be more sensible rather than working in isolation. They also believe there is a role for the UNHCR.