Refugees and Asylum-Seekers
You have reached ACRI’s archive, updated with our activity up until 2018. For more recent posts, please visit our current website here.
Since 2005, thousands of refugees and asylum-seekers – many fleeing conflicts in Africa – have crossed into Israel through its border with Egypt. As one of the initiators of, and a signatory to the United Nations Refugees Convention (1951), Israel is bound by law to provide refuge for individuals fleeing countries deemed unsafe. Moreover, according to the principles outlined in the Convention, Israel cannot send asylum-seekers back to any country where their lives would be endangered.
ACRI ardently advocates for the fair treatment of asylum-seekers and refugees. In particular, ACRI actively protests the deportation or incarceration of asylum seekers and refugees, including children, from countries recognized as unsafe; this abhorrent practice is made legal by the Prevention Against Infiltration Law, one of many laws that undermines international law and strips this population of basic human rights. ACRI is an active member of the Refugee Rights Forum, which works to promote recognition of the rights of asylum-seekers and refugees in Israel, including access to employment, the right to family, the right to housing, and the right to adequate healthcare.
All
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We did it! Human dignity beyond the barbed wire
June 15, 2017
Dear Friends, We did it! Every week I write to you about the uphill battles inherent to our work as … Read more
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High Court Ruling: A reduction in number of people housed per room in Holot detention center
June 13, 2017
The High Court of Justice accepted ACRI’s petition filed with partner organizations, stating that each room in Holot will house … Read more
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Remember the stranger among you
April 6, 2017
Dear Friends, Next week marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday that celebrates liberation and freedom. But for too … Read more
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Success in Our Fight for Basic Services
March 2, 2017
Dear Friends, This week, the Court accepted ACRI’s request to return electricity to families who were unjustly disconnected from the … Read more
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Regulation that prevents immigrants and Palestinians from accessing the Labour Court
September 12, 2016
Petition to revoke the regulation that prevents immigrants and Palestinians from accessing the Labour Court Attorneys Michal Tadjer (Kav … Read more
Legal Work
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ACRI Petitions the High Court of Justice Against the New Anti-Infiltration Law
March 31, 2014
On Tuesday, April 1, 2014, the same panel of nine High Court Justices that unanimously overturned a prior … Read more
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Human Rights Organizations Challenge New Amendment to Infiltration Law
December 16, 2013
New law even more unconstitutional than the one overturned by Court in September. Yesterday (December 15) several human rights … Read more
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Rights groups file motion for contempt of High Court decision to overturn Anti-Infiltration Law
October 28, 2013
Motion alleges the Population and Immigration Authority is defying the court’s order to release prisoners following the overturning of … Read more
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Interior Ministry Disregarding High Court’s Order to Release Imprisoned Asylum Seekers
October 17, 2013
The Refugee Rights Clinic at Tel Aviv University, Hotline for Migrant Workers, and Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), … Read more
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Justice Prevails – Anti-Infiltration Law Overturned
September 17, 2013
In an extremely important decision yesterday (September 16), the High Court of Justice ruled following an ACRI petition … Read more
In the Knesset
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Draconian “Infiltration Law” Passes Final Reading
January 10, 2012
Yesterday (9 January 2012), late at night, the Knesset plenum has passed the “Law to Prevent Infiltration” in its final … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | Summary of Summer Session 2011
August 22, 2011
Knesset Summary – Summer 2011 With the conclusion of the summer 2011 Knesset session, the Association for Civil … Read more
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ACRI Review of Knesset Winter Session
April 13, 2011
In recent years, ACRI has been increasingly troubled by expanding assaults on Israel’s democratic values. Of great concern is the … Read more
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“Infiltration Bill” Passes First Reading without Debate
March 30, 2011
On the last day of the Knesset winter seat (March 30), the Knesset approved in a first reading a new … Read more
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Refugees’ Rights Forum Letter to MKs: Infiltration
October 5, 2010
4 June 2008 Attn: MK / Minister Dear Sir/Mme, Re: Bill on Infiltration Prevention – 2008 We call on you … Read more
Publications
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Position Paper: African Asylum Seekers Arriving in Israel via the Sinai Desert
August 29, 2012
The Refugees’ Rights Forum, of which ACRI is a member, recently published a position paper about African Asylum Seekers that … Read more
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State of Human Rights Report 2011: Far from Sight, Liberty in Israel Is Diminishing
December 8, 2011
To mark International Human Rights Day, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) is publishing its annual report on … Read more
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ACRI’s Shadow Report to the UN Committee on Economic and Social Rights
November 2, 2011
On 30 October 2011, ACRI presented a shadow report to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. … Read more
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ACRI Publications 2006-2010
October 27, 2010
ACRI’s Shadow Report regarding Israel’s Third Periodic Review by the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, October 2010 “Unsafe … Read more
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The Infiltration Prevention Bill – Lies and Reality
February 4, 2010
The Refugees’ Rights Forum, of which ACRI is a member, released a position paper outlining the truths about this dangerous … Read more
Media
Policy Advocacy
Knesset Roundup
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Knesset Roundup | January 7
January 7, 2014
To receive the Knesset Roundup directly to your email, click … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | December 17
December 17, 2013
To receive the Knesset Roundup directly to your email, click here. … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | November 26
November 26, 2013
To receive the Knesset Roundup directly to your email, click here. … Read more
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Knesset Roundup | October 29
October 29, 2013
To receive the Knesset Roundup directly to your email, click here. … Read more
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Update: Anti-Democratic Legislation Initiatives
August 2, 2012
In recent years, ACRI has been increasingly troubled by expanding assaults on Israel’s democratic values. Of great concern is the … Read more