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About Refugees > Publications & Archives > World Refugee Survey

Surviving the Worst

Thailand, South Africa, Gaza, Malaysia, Kenya, Egypt, and Turkey are among the worst places for refugees according to USCRI's just released World Refugee Survey 2009.

Among the dangers and human rights violations refugees endured in 2008 were:
  • The Thai navy dragged disabled boats full of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar out to sea and abandoned them to the sun and sea.
  • Xenophobic mob attacks in South Africa killed dozens of foreigners and drove tens of thousands from their homes.
  • Hamas rocket attacks launched from Gaza provoked an Israeli invasion, including indiscriminate attacks, that killed more than 1,400 Palestinians
  • Malaysian officials continued to sell deported refugees into slavery.
  • Kenya continued its attempts to stem the flow of Somali refugees by forcing hundreds back across the border, beating many and demanding bribes from them.
  • Egyptian border guards shot and killed more than 30 African migrants trying to cross into Israel.
  • Turkey continued to deport hundreds of asylum seekers back to their countries of origin without any chance at protection, and in one incident drowned four people by forcing them to try to swim across a swift river into Iraq.
Other refugees continued to endure a cruel form of human limbo. Nearly 8.5 million refugees have been trapped in camps or otherwise denied their rights for more than 10 years. Eritrean refugees have been stuck in camps in Sudan for 40 years, Tibetans stranded in Nepal for 50, and Palestinians warehoused in Lebanon, Gaza, and the West Bank for 60 years.

USCRI also identifies some of the best countries for refugees, Brazil's refugee system provides excellent protection to those seeking it, and even resettles many Palestinian refugees fleeing the violence in Iraq. Costa Rica has an excellent record of integrating refugees into the economic life of the country. Ecuador launched a massive registration program to try to register and protect Colombian refugees, allowing them to work legally and travel the country without fear of arrest and deportation.

Take action to help refugees. Join USCRI's Stand with a Refugee Campaign.

Learn more about conditions for refugees around the world.