Refugee Journeys: Oasis in her own words
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Refugee Journeys: Oasis in her own words
Oasis and Roman: (Cuba) [Bullhorn] {Advocacy/Protection Preserving Human Rights} Oasis and Roman When her parents gave their daughter a name that means a place of refuge they hardly imagined they would soon be seeking that very thing, running from the persecution they faced in their native Cuba for their political and religious beliefs. At nine, Oasis fled with them to Spain, eventually settled in Miami and became a caseworker for the IRC, where shes since devoted her life to helping others like herself find their way on what she calls the refugees flight of freedom. Now 36, Oasis can speak proudly about that journey, through both painful memories and the joy of finding that now she no longer has to whisper her words. Oasis is interviewed by Roman Martinez, a fellow Cuban refugee and IRC Board member. Preserving Human Rights and Dignity First they tell you to be quiet. Then they tell you what you are not allowed to wear, to say, to learn, to do, to believe. They break into your home in the middle of the night. They ask questions and accuse you of things you have not done. They point their guns at you. They treat you like an animal. People fleeing war and persecution need water, food, shelter and medical care. But they also need security and safeguards of their rights and dignity. International law recognizes that victims of conflict and human rights abuse must be able to leave their country freely and to seek refuge elsewhere. In 1951, the United Nations adopted the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, a legal treaty that has been ratified by 140 countries. Traditionally, protecting refugees rights has been the responsibility of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Today, the increasing violence of conflicts, the huge numbers of displaced persons in the world, and the strain on resources have made it impossible for them to do so without the active cooperation of their organization partners—such as the IRC. IRC does not intervene in a crisis without a commitment to stay as long as we are needed, and provide long-term solutions. From the first moment the IRC hits the ground, throughout the span of our work, we strive to restore the rights and dignity of the individuals we assist. In communities around the world, we work with local authorities to ensure that refugees rights and needs are met. Alongside our doctors and water and sanitation experts, we deploy specialists who can coordinate an effective response to violence against displaced women. And we counsel local officials on human rights issues and support local human rights groups by training police officers and human rights monitors who can interview victims of violence and hopefully seek some sort of remedy through local legal systems. In the U.S., IRC caseworkers and attorneys help refugees to understand their legal rights, determine their eligibility and ensure they meet the requirements for US citizenship. We then help them to complete and file application forms, effectively work with government immigration services and prepare for their citizenship interviews. IRC meets regularly with the UN and government officials. A long-time leader in the US capital, the IRC knows how to reach key decision-makers on both sides of the political aisle. We join with other organizations in coalitions and alliances to collaborate on humanitarian issues and amplify our messages. And we are a trusted source for international news agencies, able to report on the true conditions of refugees. The authority of our campaigns to raise public awareness and defend the rights of the vulnerable is rooted in our presence on the ground alongside those we help each day. We speak on behalf of and with the people we serve, so that our outreach is informed, influential, and insistent. Protection of refugees means both their physical safety and well-being and the guarantee of their legal and human rights. A humanitarian response must fully address peoples humanity.
YouTube | October 9, 2008
