The dangerous situation faced by Afghans who want to flee, but can’t, shows how unwilling or unprepared the US and other countries are to deal with refugees.
The Conservative pledge to replace government-assisted refugee places with more private sponsorship focuses on the integration potential of refugees rather than their protection needs. That’s wrong.
When people fled the new United States in the 18th century, they were taken in by the British Empire but became disillusioned by unfulfilled British promises.
Indonesia, as well as many other countries that will see an increase in Afghan refugees and asylum seekers, will be put to a test of humanity and will have to act quickly.
An ‘orderly departure program’ similar to the one set up after the Vietnam War could offer a vital pathway out of Afghanistan for refugees over the next several years.
Research on the connection between “liberal” or “caring” asylum policies and rates of crime shows that the humane treatment of refugees can have a beneficial effect on domestic security.
The U.S. military collected biometric data on Afghan civilians. The information may have fallen into the hands of the Taliban, highlighting why collecting the data is too risky in the first place.
The largest immigration detention centre is located in a COVID hot spot in western Sydney. We need to make vaccinations for detainees and staff an urgent priority.
Professor of International Migration and Forced Displacement and Director of the Institute for Research into International Migration and Superdiversity, University of Birmingham