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Omar is 17 years old and stranded in a refugee camp. He has spent years searching for safety – first from war in his native Somalia, then from conflict in Libya. He is one refugee, among thousands of others, waiting for a chance to start his life again.

A film by Nick Francis and Marc Silver

STRANDED REFUGEES NEED RESETTLEMENT

Hundreds of thousands of refugees are stuck in limbo. They cannot go home because of war and persecution. Some end up in refugee camps that are unsafe and located near conflict areas, for months, even years at a time. Others live in situations that leave them vulnerable, exposed to abuse or unable to access fundamental human rights.

For some of these refugees, their only hope is to be accepted for resettlement by another country that will give them a chance to restart their lives in safety.

Amnesty International is campaigning for safe countries, particularly in Europe, to increase the number of refugees that they resettle each year, and give refugees the chance to live in safety and dignity. 

WHAT IS RESETTLEMENT?

Resettlement specifically concerns refugees who are trapped in dangerous situations, are particularly vulnerable or have no chance of integrating into the society where they currently are.

It is a process by which governments invite refugees in such circumstances to settle in their countries.

Resettlement is one of three durable solutions for refugees promoted by the UN and plays a key role in the international community’s response to the needs of refugees. It gives them immediate protection and a long-lasting solution.

But governments are not offering enough resettlement places. Right now, only a small proportion of the hundreds of thousands of refugees in need of resettlement are likely to be offered a resettlement place.

The international community needs to take responsibility. Resettling more refugees will save more lives and give more refugees a future.

For a free DVD copy of ‘A life on hold’, email rmrteam@amnesty.org

For more information and to take further action you can also link to:

-Amnesty International Australia campaign on resettlement
-Amnesty International Belgium campaign on resettlement
-Amnesty International Denmark campaign
-Amnesty International European Institutions Office campaign
-Amnesty International France campaign on resettlement
-Amnesty International Germany campaign on resettlement
-Amnesty International Poland campaign
-Amnesty International Sweden campaign
-Amnesty International Turkey campaign

Download "A Life on Hold Poster"