Refugee Congress Commemorates the 70th Anniversary of the Refugee Convention
Refugee Congress Commemorates the 70th Anniversary of the Refugee Convention
For Immediate Release: July 28, 2021
WASHINGTON–Refugee Congress joins the world in celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention today.
The 1951 Refugee Convention serves as an international framework for refugee protection and outlines the international community's responsibility to protect displaced persons across the globe. UNHCR is the “guardian” of the 1951 Convention and its 1967 Protocol.
“Seventy years ago, in the wake of World War II, world leaders established a guide – a set of principles – for protecting the rights and ensuring the safety of refugees. Seventy years later, we reflect on the progress we’ve made and must be frank about our shortcomings in the face of the largest global displacement crisis in history, “ said Nili Sarit Yossinger, Executive Director of Refugee Congress. “As advocates and community leaders, we honor the 70th anniversary of the Refugee Convention by speaking out and holding our elected leaders accountable when these principles are violated. In recent years, the rise of xenophobia has resulted in an abdication of our responsibilities to those seeking refuge, with drastic cuts to our refugee resettlement program and illegal expulsions of asylum-seekers at our borders. The United States should use this moment to remember how integral refugees are to the fabric of our communities and reassert itself as a global humanitarian leader. We are a nation of refuge. Let’s honor the anniversary of the Refugee Convention with a renewed and improved commitment to a robust admissions goal for refugee resettlement and to building a more just, transparent and humane asylum system for welcoming refugees and asylees.”
Refugee Congress – an organization built and led by refugees, asylees and other vulnerable migrants – was born the same year as the 60th anniversary of the Refugee Convention, ten years ago. To Refugee Congress and our Delegates, celebrating the anniversary of the Refugee Convention not only highlights the fundamental and universal human right of seeking refuge but also represents the core of our organization and our mission to ensure that refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants’ voices are equal partners at the table.
“The Refugee Convention of 1951 holds nations accountable for refugees to have legal rights, as well as upholds legal obligations of States to protect them. I can truly say I am a beneficiary and grateful for the Refugee Convention of 1951. Without it, my family and I would have faced serious threats to our life and our freedom,” said Nejra Sumic, Refugee Congress Delegate for Arizona.
For 70 years, the Refugee Convention has served as a humanitarian foundation and remains as relevant to our work today as it did in 1951. As people continue to flee war, conflict and persecution, we call upon the international community and our elected officials to ensure that we continue to protect the displaced and center the needs of those who are seeking refuge and safety.
“The adoption of the Refugee Convention was the day that allowed refugees like me to dream for a better life and future,” said Heval Kelli, Refugee Congress Delegate for Georgia.
On the 70th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, we join together with partners and other organizations to uplift calls to restore humanitarian protections. We encourage organizations and individuals to get involved with and uplift messages calling on elected officials to honor the legacy of the Refugee Convention.
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Refugee Congress is a nonpartisan advocacy organization built and led by former refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants to promote the well-being, integration and dignity of all vulnerable migrants. With delegates across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, we use our voices and experiences to inform and influence decision-makers on critical domestic and international issues that affect our communities.
MEDIA CONTACT: (202) 905-6238, media@refugeecongress.org
