Why religious freedom matters for asylum seekers and refugees

Abstract

This article advances a three-pronged argument to demonstrate why religious freedom matters for asylum seekers and refugees. First, it is a fundamental human right owed to everyone. Second, the global crisis of religious freedom, marked by increasing persecution and government restrictions on religion around the world, has a particularly damaging impact on asylum seekers and refugees. Third, higher levels of religiosity tend to be found among asylum seekers. For these reasons, religion should hold a greater place in policies governing the reception of asylum seekers and refugees.