I am a REFUGEE in my own country!

"I am a refugee in my own country." 

This is the bold statement I hear where ever I visit homeless citizens. 

If we are to ever end homelessness, the accepted definition of a refugee must also include those who are displaced within their own country. Why are the homeless not already considered refugees? Maybe because then, we can more easily ignore the responsibility that we have as a nation, to care for those who are in desperate need of our service, support, compassion, and understanding. As citizens who value equality and community, we must learn to reach out to those who are less fortunate than us....... no matter what the reason. This is what makes us Human. 

This is the definition that ARO would like to see used for a Refugee, (as pertaining to the homeless). It is identical to the United Nations official definition - except that the word country has been changed to society. And "sexual orientation, gender diversity" has been added. 

"A person who owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender diversity, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the society of her origin and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail herself of the protection of that society; or who, being outside the society of her former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it."

Below is a link to the United Nations definition of a refugee:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_Relating_to_the_Status_of_Refugees

Below is a link called: United Nations debates the meaning of refugee. 

http://www.visalaw.com/00jan3/16jan300.html

The United Nations and other organizations do have a new definition for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP's). But this definition only includes those who have left their homes because of human rights violations. (Which have to be proven in order to get IDP status.) 

We believe that if the fear of persecution is high enough to make someone leave their home and live on the streets, and if they are especially youth who have been kicked out of their homes, and because they suffer displacement, discrimination, hunger, assault, violence, illness, police brutality,  inadequate access to resources,  and most of all dehumanization and death - then they are more than qualified to have refugee status - and therefore in position to receive any and all support that is required to provide safe, effective, and long term placement into a new home. 

Homelessness is a choice. But it is often a forced choice born out of seemingly impossible circumstances. It is an epidemic that continues to sweep across this nation whether or not these citizens are seen everyday. Homelessness in the United States is well on it's way into a fourth generational living sub-culture. (We often see homeless families now, which include the grandparents, the parents, the children, and now even great grand children - all living homeless together.) 

We must work hard, now more than ever, to help incorporate these individuals back into society. Either that, or be certain that within the next decade, we will be dealing with an entirely new culture in our country, determined to stay on the street and somehow make their living outside of society all together. In fact, in many ways this is already happening. But it doesn't have to be this way. They belong with us in our society, as cherished individuals that have so much to offer. Their courage and strength has much to teach us a people. And we belong to them as well. We are meant to be their stewards, their confidants, and mentors. We were meant to learn from each other the great and powerful lessons that homelessness offers EVERYONE involved. 

They are refugees in their own country. They are displaced for many different reasons, but are all forced in the same ways toward the fringe of society. They tenaciously bear great emotional, mental, physical, spiritual, and cultural burdens. 

Just like everyone, they want to belong. We are all actually very much the same. Only perception divides us. Will you reach through your own judgments and really witness what is going on? We are ALL worth the service we provide to others. So let us make the giving and receiving of honest service our first and foremost priority. 

UNITED NATIONS DEBATES THE MEANING OF “REFUGEE”

At the request of the US, the United Nations Security Council recently held a meeting at which the topic of discussion was the definition of “refugee.”  The discussion was prompted by the growing number of “internally displaced persons” across the globe. Under the United Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees, a refugee is a person who, “owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.”  Internally displaced persons are people who have been forced from their homes, but because they are still within their native country, do not fall within the definition of “refugee.” 

Worldwide, there are 15 million refugees, and about 20 to 25 million internally displaced persons.  Displaced persons are protected by the Geneva Convention, but it has been difficult for the UN to provide the same aid and protection to them as to refugees.  This difficulty prompted the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Richard Holbrooke, to call for the erosion of the distinction between refugee and internally displaced persons.