Australia must step up as U.S. reportedly raises refugee quota

In response to reports the U.S. is raising the number of refugees it will accept, Amnesty International Australia’s Refugee Coordinator Dr Graham Thom said:

“It’s important for Australia to also step up, given the ongoing crises in places like Syria and Iraq.”

“Now the additional 12,000 refugees have been resettled here, Australia should allocate another emergency quota of 12,000 places over the next 12 months for vulnerable Syrians and Iraqis.”

Regarding the U.S. quota, Amnesty International USA’s executive director, Margaret Huang, released the following statement:

“If true, this is a welcome step back from the Trump administration’s relentless assault on the rights of those fleeing horrific violence. We hope it’s a sign that the U.S. may be willing to recognize its responsibility during this unprecedented global refugee crisis.

People who have lost everything deserve a chance to rebuild their lives safely the same way all of us would need to if we were in this horrible situation.”