Migrant Forum in Asia members in South Korea, the Joint Committee with Migrants Korea (JCMK) delivered a statement in support of Refugees in South Korea at the cultural event and solidarity march welcoming refugees held on 20 October 2018. The program called on the South Korean government to legislate an Act on Prohibition on Discrimination to protect the rights of social minorities including migrants, refugees, disabled, and LGBT etc.

South Korea Solidarity Statement with Refugees

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees state that 68.5 million people are uprooted around the world as conflicts emerge, recur, persist and deepen. Nine out of 10 are in their own countries or countries next door, and the impact is massive – on refugees themselves, and on the communities that open their doors to them.

Refugees are some of the most vulnerable communities in the world who have been displaced from their homes due circumstances outside of their control. Many are fleeing abuse, persecution and have experienced unspeakable horrors. Some have left everything behind to seek safety: their homes, their jobs and sometimes their families.

Migrant Forum in Asia calls for Solidarity for all refugees. Having lost almost everything – refugees don’t give up, and they find a way to start their lives again. Helping refugees build their lives needs all of us working together in order for them to be able to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.

With numbers of refugees increasing every year, no community or country providing safe refuge to people fleeing war or persecution should be alone and unsupported. In many countries, communities are working together to support refugees. We stand in solidarity with all refugees and various communities providing support and assistance in the most difficult times.

We witnessed the tremendous effort of the South Korean Government in a time where there is toxic discourse on refugee issues. As a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention, we call on the Korean government to be more cognizant of its commitment in recognizing the rights of refugees. We all call for stronger solidarity for the refugee communities in South Korea.

Please find below more photos from the program. For more information please contact William Gois of the MFA Secretariat at: mfa@mfasia.org.