The difference between migrants and refugees

Updated November 2 2012 - 4:33pm, first published May 24 2011 - 12:31am

It IS both surprising and disturbing that Geoff Hall (Letters, May 18) apparently can't or doesn't distinguish between migrants and asylum seekers or refugees.The UNHCR's Basic Definitions Sheet puts it simply: "Migrants make a conscious choice to leave their country of origin and can return there without a problem. If things to not work out ...it is safe for them to return home'." Refugees on the other hand "are forced to leave their countries because they have been persecuted or have a well-founded fear of persecution. Refugees run away".It is the danger to their lives which makes them decide to leave.Mr Hall's solution would return, seemingly without checking, asylum seekers and refugees to that potential danger of persecution or even death.This is against our obligations under the Refugee Convention and I'm sure that if Mr Hall spoke to some refugees, face-to-face, and heard their personal stories, he would realise the inherent injustice of his solution. ROSALIND BERRY Daylesford

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