Res. 100. which expresses sympathy to the families of women and girls murdered in Guatemala and encourages the Government of Guatemala to bring an end to these crimes. Historically. the U.S. has offered asylum to those fleeing persecution based on race. religion. political opinion. national origin or membership in a particular social group. Only In the past decade have women and girls fleeing genderbased persecution (such as domestic violence. female genital cutting. human trafficking. "honor"~ killings. etc.) been recognized as refugees. hut this remains an issue that is still widely debated. There is no doubt that asylum is a lifesavIng form of protection. and recognition of genderbased claims is an important statement by the U.S. that it takes womens rights seriously. But asylum cannot be a solution to the underlying human rights problem.. By definition. asylum seekers are forced to flee their home countries in order to save their lives and to escape persecution. but they leave behind many others who face the very same violations of their fundamental human rightsand who have no protection at all. Therefore. if we truly seek to address the problem at its source. we must examine the "root causes" of the violence and persecution that are forcing asylum seekers to flee in the first place. The story of Rodi Alvarado and Guatemalas femicides serve as a tragic case In point. For more than a decade.
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asylum seekers refugees