The presence of nearly 30 million refugees (over half of whom are under the age of 18) from a total unprecedented 70.8 million forcibly displaced persons globally due to conflict and persecution by year-end 2018 is enough reason to consistently shine the light on the rights, needs and aspirations of refugees. Moreso that the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol was purposely drafted and adopted to protect the vulnerable including refugees.
Furthermore, as it has been affirmed that seeking safety remains a human right, all forcibly displaced persons should be treated with dignity regardless of whoever they are, wherever they come from to get out of harm’s way (through a plane, a boat, by land or foot), and whenever they are forced to flee due to threats of war, violence, and persecution.
Therefore, as we empathize with all categories of forcibly displaced persons and recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives, we reiterate the need to uphold every right towards seeking safety and sustain all restoration processes aimed at ensuring the return of refugees to their homes. All governments, organizations and other actors are admonished to be alive to this humanitarian call – all of the time.
For us, we will always stand #withrefugees around the globe come what may.
Happy World Refugee day!
#worldrefugeeday2022 #refugees #humanrights
United Nations UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency United Nations OCHA
