Working together American Friends Service Committee, Britain Yearly Meeting, Friends Committee for National Legislation, Quaker Council for European Affairs and Quaker United Nations Office have developed a statement on migration drawing on Quaker foundations and work with migrants and on migration. The core of the statement says:
Rooted in our belief that there is that of the sacred in everyone, our spiritual leading to uphold the inherent value and agency of every human being, and our commitment to building a world without violence, we are heartbroken by migration policy that dehumanizes some members of our human family on the basis of where they come from. We reject the notion that security for some can be achieved through means that use or result in violence and insecurity for others. We abhor the many forms of violence used in the management of migration and the effect current migration systems have in dividing our human family.
We are committed to working for a world where dignity and rights are upheld regardless of migration status and not on the basis of citizenship or perceived deservedness. Our faith calls us to work alone and with others for migration justice.
Friends, Meetings and Quaker agencies and organizations around the world work for migration justice, bearing witness to the Quaker testimonies of peace and equality. Though our working methods may differ, the organizations that developed this statement are united by the shared vision expressed in this statement.
We encourage Meetings, Quaker organizations and Friends’ groups or associations to consider supporting the statement and signing on to it.
If your organization, group or Meeting would like to sign on to support the statement or if you have questions about the statement or comments on it please email the Quaker UN Office’s Human Rights and Refugees team: Laurel Townhead ltownhead@quno.ch and Najmah Ali nali@quno.ch
The list of supporting Meetings, groups and organisations will be updated regularly and can be seen below:
The Quaker Asylum and Refugee Network
Quaker Earthcare Witness
Esher Meeting
Trenton Meeting of Friends
West Brattleboro Quaker Worship Group
Montana Gathering of Friends
Geneva Monthly Meeting
Switzerland Yearly Meeting
Honolulu Friends Meeting
St Andrews Local Meeting
Pima Monthly Meeting
Pittsburgh Friends Meeting
Midlothian Friends Meeting
Bridge City Friends Meeting
Sandpoint Friends Meeting