Advocates for Asylum campaigns for a Refugee Status Determination (RSD) system in Israel where every asylum seeker can apply to prove his or her refugee status by undergoing a fair, objective interview, as required in the 1951 Geneva Convention for the Protection of Refugees--a convention which Israel helped write soon after independence, in light of the Jewish refugees deported during the Holocaust .
Of the approximately 25,000 asylum seekers in the country, the majority, which include Darfurians, South Sudanese and Eritreans, currently cannot apply for refugee status. The other 15% which can apply are all, with the exception of three cases, repeatedly and consistently rejected, without any connection to the merits of their case. Asylum seekers are called "infiltrators" or assumed to be "work migrants."
Hundreds have been forcibly deported at the border back to Egypt, where many asylum seekers are deported back to Darfur, South Sudan, and other areas where their lives may be at risk. Many policy makers and citizens are unaware of the crimes against humanity which continue in Eritrea, South Sudan, Liberia, and other countries of origins.
Our methods for change are:
1. Collecting and distributing testimonials to policymakers, the public, and the media. Click here for testimonials.
2. Empowering asylum seekers though language toturing and public speaking training and engagements. Click here to volunteer.
3. Direct lobbying to civil servents and Members and Ministers of Knesset, and direct advocacy to the public through panel talks, protests and booths in public forums. Click here for past and upcoming events.
