Dear Mr Morrison,

At its Annual General Meeting, the NSW Ecumenical Council agreed to the following resolution regarding refugees and asylum seekers from Afghanistan:

that the NSW Ecumenical Council write to the Prime Minister, with a copy to the Leader of the Opposition, to urge the Australian Government:

(i) to grant permanent protection or citizenship to all Afghan people seeking asylum and refugee status currently living in Australia or in immigration detention;

(ii) to declare an intake of 20000 Afghan refugees (matching the Canadian commitment); and

(iii) to assist Afghan Australians with urgent family reunion applications for relatives who are in imminent danger.

It was the desire of the Council to adds its voice to that of many Christian leaders and organisations, as well as people of other faiths, calling on the Australian Government to offer sanctuary and protection to people fleeing from Afghanistan and to those who are already in Australia.

It is important to limit further human suffering, which results from past misjudgements, and so we strongly urge your government to act with generosity and compassion.