According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, one in every 113 people worldwide has been forced to flee their homes - that is 62 million people who have been forced to flee for their lives to escape violence. However, at a time when the numbers of people seeking refuge is increasing each day, many nations have been closing their borders to refugees, or have experienced anti refugee sentiment sweep their nations.

The UN Secretary General, António Guterres put it as follows: 

“I’ve met so many who have lost so much. But they never lose their dreams for their children or their desire to better our world. They ask for little in return – only our support in their time of greatest need”

CDH’s Pro Bono and Human Rights Practice, together with ProBono.Org, Fasken Martineau and Norton Rose Fulbright SA officially launched the Practitioners Guides to Refugee Law at a special opening event on 20 June 2017. The guides have been produced in response to a call for more legal professionals to provide much needed pro bono services. They have been expertly drafted by legal professionals, who provide practical and concise guidance to any practitioner who has limited knowledge of Refugee Law. It is hoped that these guides will equip more practitioners to assist refugees, at a time when they need support the most. 

The Practitioners Guides initiative was co-ordinated by the ProBono.Org Refugee Legal Clinic (Refugee Clinic) that runs on a weekly basis and is staffed by a number of different law firms. CDH has been staffing and supporting the Refugee Clinic since its inception, providing much needed assistance and advice to refugees who generally require assistance with a variety of asylum related issues.