Listen. Learn. Take action.


Listen to first-hand stories about how people become refugees. Hear the dangers refugees face in their search for safety. Learn about the obligations that governments have to protect refugees. Discover how the international community plays a key role in forcing people to seek refuge from harm.

“Searching for Safety” is a 21-minute Radio Amnesty program about refugees. The full program - the three online segments here, plus two public service announcements - is available on CD (free). Call 1-800-Amnesty to order.

 Click here to listen to live audio tracks from the CD.

Wollor Topor, refugee from Liberia
“WE STARTED PLANTING TREES in our camp… The whole life of a refugee is looking for a future.”
M. Wollor Topor, refugee from Liberia, on his work with the Opportunity Centre in his refugee camp.

• Contact Amnesty International Canada (1-800-Amnesty) if you have an opportunity to use “Searching for Safety” or the public service announcements on your local radio station.

• Play the program in your classroom during a unit on human rights and refugees.

• Use the program to stimulate discussion in your book club or social issues group.
Miriam Azimi, Defender of Women's Rights
MARIAM AZIMI and her children had to flee Afghanistan, then Pakistan, because she received death threats for defending the human rights of women. She sought refuge in Norway, but this was denied – until Amnesty took action and the Azimi family was allowed to stay.

Every day people make the agonizing decision to leave their homes, communities and countries because they are afraid for their lives.


Some have seen loved ones massacred or their homes and crops destroyed by armed groups. Some have been tortured for defending human rights. Some have been attacked because of who they are or how they are seen by others.


People who seek refuge do so because it is too dangerous to stay where they are. In the end, every person who becomes a refugee does so because of a government’s failure to protect basic human rights.


But these failures can be prevented. What’s needed is increased public pressure and action for change.
Sadiq Shek-Elmi, Somalian Refugee
SADIQ SHEK ELMI sought asylum in Australia from the likelihood of death at the hands of clan militias in his war-torn Somalia. When Sadiq's appeal for refuge was denied, Amnesty International mounted a successful urgent, global action to keep him safe. It was “like being rescued from a corridor of death,” Sadiq said.

Stop abuses that force people to become refugees. Support “real security.” Take action

Protect people who are seeking refuge in Canada and other countries. Take action

Learn more about Amnesty International Canada’s work to protect refugees. Learn more

Live audio tracks

Who is a refugee? (7:25 minutes | MP3 Format | 3.4 MB).
Mabinte Bangura’s story. How people become refugees. How refugees are protected in international law. The experience of women and child refugees.


Searching for safety (4:05 minutes | MP3 Format | 1.8 MB).
James Torh’s story. The difficult decision to seek safety in another country - and the dangers along the way.


Refuge denied - and achieved (9:13 minutes | MP3 Format | 4.2 MB).
Haroun M’Barek’s story. A matter of life or death: no appeal of refugee decisions in Canada. How the global trade in diamonds for weapons forces people to seek refuge.