Thousands of will gather at candlelit vigils around New Zealand tomorrow in memory of refugees who have lost their lives and for the 60 million people displaced around the world due to war or persecution.
At each event, which are being organised by a number of organisations and community groups, 750 candles will be lit for the lives that could be saved. There will be 60 seconds of silence for the 60 million people displaced right now due to war or persecution.
Amnesty International said the announcement by the government on Monday that New Zealand will take in 750 Syrian refugees, 600 under an emergency intake, is a welcome although overdue step. However it does not go far enough in addressing the worst humanitarian crisis in 70 years.
"Amnesty International believes that if the government is serious about addressing this issue and saving lives then they should be asking how much, not how little, we can do to help refugees," said executive director Grant Bayldon.
"Doubling our refugee quota is the least we can do after 28 years without an increase."
