Resettlement of people displaced by the consequences of climate change was highlighted as a major concern for churches at a gathering of ecumenical representatives from Asia and the Pacific region.

Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin wall, European governments must act urgently to tackle human rights abuses against migrants, asylum seekers, detainees and minorities, Amnesty International has declared.

Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has called for proper protection from violence and abuse for Iranian exiles living in Iraq, citing the situation in Ashraf refugee camp. He hopes British influence can play a role.

A bishop has called for an overhaul of the asylum system and for asylum seekers to be given the right to work at the launch of a new report.

Campaigners are mobilising on both sides of the channel to protest against a planned mass deportation of Afghan migrants from Calais next week, involving the UK and French Governments.

American Baptists have achieved the resettlement of more than 100,000 refugees since their cooperative effort with the ecumenical Church World Service began after World War Two.

Palestinian refugees inject US$350 million into Lebanon’s economy every year despite being barred from many highly-paid professions, says a report by Association Najdeh

Tearfund and other relief and development agencies are warning that the condition of Sri Lankans living in refugee camps will remain a major challenge for months to come.

The number of people forcibly uprooted by conflict and persecution worldwide stood at 42 million at the end of last year, with the largest displacement being caused by the US and UK - who are not among the main hosts.

The Anglican Bishop of Kurunagala in Sri Lanka, the Rt Revd Kumara lllangasinghe, has written to Anglican churches throughout the world to appeal for crisis aid for refugee casualties following the bloody end to the war there.