The global refugee population is now reaching historic highs and there is an urgent need to guarantee these people the human right to asylum and protection, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said today.
In its World Refugee Day message, the headline called for reflection on the courage and resilience of those fleeing war, violence and persecution.
As he recalled, the war in Ukraine is causing the largest and fastest displacement in Europe since World War II, while following the movements of others fleeing conflict in various locations.
Currently, he stressed, the total number of forcibly displaced people around the world is approaching 100 million, “a harsh indictment of our times.”
The Portuguese diplomat asserted that the entire population has the right to get to safety, whoever they are, where they come from and whenever they are forced to flee.
The right to asylum is fundamental and people fleeing violence or persecution must be able to cross borders safely, Guterres stressed.
They also must not be discriminated against at borders because of their race, religion, gender or country of origin, or be unfairly denied refugee status or asylum, he said.
Like all human beings, they must be treated with respect and cannot be forced to return to their places of origin if they are in danger there.
Refugees also need opportunities to heal, learn, work and thrive, the ability to return home when they choose, or rebuild their lives elsewhere in safety and dignity, he said.
In this regard, the UN chief stressed that protecting these individuals is a shared responsibility and greater commitment is needed.
World Refugee Day is observed every June 20th to celebrate the strength and courage of those who have been forced to leave their homes to escape armed conflict, violence or persecution.
This date was observed in 2001 to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.
The theme of this year 2022 underlines that everyone has the right to seek protection, no matter who they are, where they come from or when they had to flee.