Refugees at Sea

The recent issue involving the Tampa boat people has raised two persisting questions. Who is a refugee and where should he or she find refuge? A refugee is a person who is being persecuted, be it for religious, ethnic or political reasons. Traditionally, refugees sought sanctuary in their own geographical or cultural environment to return home as soon as it was safe. However, the revolution in transport and communications, continual poverty and prolonged internal conflicts have combined to create a feeling of discontent in the Third World. …