Myths Refugees

Asylum seekers are people who...

• People who have fled from their country due to fear or persecution and are living in another country as new citizens.

• People who have fled from their country due to fear or persecution and have applied for protection from another country but their claim has not been processed.

• People who have fled from their country due to fear or persecution and have travelled to another country and are living there illegally.

• People who have fled from their country due to fear or persecution and are travelling on a boat to another country.

Internally displaced person is ...

• someone who is living inside the borders of their own country, but is unable to safely live in their own home or region.

• someone who has escaped their own country and is living elsewhere.

• someone who is living inside the borders of their own country, but have requested asylum elsewhere.

A refugee is ....

• a person who has fled their own country and can not return due to war.

• a person who has fled their own country and cannot return due to famine.

• a person who has fled their own country and cannot return due to fear of persecution.

• a person who has fled their own country and cannot return due to fear of being arrested.

A migrant is...

• someone who voluntarily chooses to move from their own country and can return at anytime.

• someone who is forced to move from their own country but can return at anytime.

• someone who chooses to move from their own country but are not able to return.

• someone who flees their own country for a better life.

A stateless person is....

• someone who does not have a nationality recognised by any country, but are able to access education, employment and healthcare.

• someone who does not have a nationality that is recognised by their country.

• someone who does not have a nationality that is recognised by any country, but is able to choose where they live.

• someone who does not have a nationality recognised by any country and do not have access to healthcare, employment and education.

People who come by boat who are seeking asylum are breaking the law in Australia.

• True - it is a crime to come to Australia seeking asylum without permission.

• False - it is not a crime to come to Australia seeking asylum without permission.

Asylum seekers are poor.

• True - a person needs to be poor to be an asylum seeker.

• False - a person doesn't need to be poor but a person who has a fear of being persecuted because of their race, religion, nationality or member a social or political group.

People seeking asylum could have stopped in other countries in Asia-Pacific other than Australia to receive help.

• True - many countries in the Asia-parific protect refugees.

• False - many countries in the Asia-paricifc do not help refugees.

Most refugees are older than 18.

• True - 50% of refugees are older than 18

• False - 50% of refugees are younger than 18

Most refugees are sheltered by wealthy countries

• True - most of the 1st world countries take in and help refugees.

• False - nine out ten refugees are sheltered by developing countries.