The violence especially has escalated with the arrival of more than 3,000 armed Islamic extremists who have declared a jihad against Christians in the eastern province of Maluku, The Barnabas Fund said. The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada reported yesterday that it has submitted a brief to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration on Bill C-31, the proposed Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The EFC says that it is concerned that the bill does not fulfil its objective to save lives and offer protection to the displaced and persecuted. Janet Epp Buckingham, EFC's General Legal Counsel, explained the principles behind the EFC's brief. The biblical teaching calling us to care for our neighbor, particularly those who are vulnerable, motivates evangelicals to be involved in refugee issues.
Refugees are among the most vulnerable groups in our world.
The EFC's comments and recommendations are based, the group says, on experience with those who are persecuted for their religious beliefs. The EFC established a Religious Liberty Commission in 1997 to promote freedom of religion for all peoples in the world. The EFC recommends changes to the bill in the areas of identification documents, prior claims, the definition of serious criminality and the reunification of families. The EFC also recommends some ways to strengthen the overseas refugee process generally. The Standing Committee On Citizenship and Immigration begins hearings on Bill C-31 this fall.