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Keep them safe

Victims of generalised violence lack protection in the Nordic countries - this has to change now!

Persons fleeing both generalised and more targeted forms of violence cannot rely on protection in the Nordic countries.

Instead they have to endure years of meaningless and anxious waiting for authorities to decide on their destiny. Many are rejected but not returned; they are left in a legal limbo without basic rights and prospects for a life of dignity.

Many slowly fall apart, with "normal life" slipping further and further from reach and the threat of return constantly looming on the horizon.

In the end some are deported, often forcibly, back to armed conflict and human rights violations in their home countries such as Iraq, Somalia or Sri Lanka.

"Keep them safe" is a Nordic campaign which urges governments in the region to acknowledge that people fleeing generalised violence and armed conflict are in need of international protection and ensure that they get it.

As a minimum, Nordic governments must act in accordance with UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) recommendations regarding international protection needs of asylum-seekers.

The campaign launch is 25 September 2007 and will run until the end of December 2007, in all five Nordic countries.

The campaign is comprised of regional press materials, a signature petition, national initiatives and a closure event in Stockholm (see event calendar).

The campaign encourages everyone to stand up for the right to asylum and international protection for those fleeing human rights violations, conflict and persecution.

The campaign calls upon the Nordic governments to live by both the letter and spirit of the international conventions they have committed to.

Twenty Nordic non-governmental organizations are behind this campaign:

• Amnesty International - Iceland
• Amnesty International - Denmark
• Amnesty International - Finland
• Amnesty International - Sweden
• Caritas Sverige
• The Danish Institute For Human Rights
• Danish Refugee Council
• Dansk Røde Kors
• FARR / Flyktinggruppernas och Asylkommittéernas Riksråd
• Flyktninghjelpen / The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
• FN Forbundet Danmark 7 The Danish United Nations Association
• The Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers (NOAS)
• Icelandic Human Rights Centre
• Punainen Risti / Röda Korset / Red Cross Finland
• Rauði kross Íslands / Red Cross Iceland
• The Refugee Advice Centre Finland
• Sveriges Kristna Råd
• Rådgivningsbyrån för asylsökande och flyktingar / Swedish Refugee Advice Centre
• Röda Korset / Red Cross Sweden
• Suomen Pakolaisapu / The Finnish Refugee Council

The organisers' appeal is that:

• Nordic governments assume responsibility and show solidarity with people forced to flee violence and persecution in their home countries.

• Nordic governments recognise that people fleeing generalised violence are in need of, and entitled to, international protection.

• Nordic governments step up to the plate and promote respect for the right to asylum and focus on an individual's vulnerability and need for international protection.

• Nordic governments to commit to finding ways to address the "protection gap" in relation to people fleeing generalised violence.

• As a minimum, Nordic governments act in accordance with the recommendations and guidelines issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

• The general public support this call for a meaningful and effective international protection for those fleeing generalised violence and armed conflict.