World Refugee Day Observed Globally

Kathmandu. Today is World Refugee Day. This day is being celebrated with various programs in different countries of the world today. This day is celebrated every year on June 20 to honor the millions of refugees forced to leave their homes due to conflict, violence, persecution, and human rights violations.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), by mid-2025, more than 117.3 million people worldwide will be displaced due to persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations, or events that seriously affect public peace and security. Crises ongoing in countries including Sudan, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syrian Arab Republic, Myanmar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have forced millions to leave their homes.

The United Nations has stated that the protection of refugees is not just a matter of humanitarian sentiment but also the basis of world peace and stability. It is stated that if refugees do not receive protection, families are forced to undertake more dangerous journeys, children's education is affected, and women and girls are put at greater risk.

The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol are considered the main international legal bases for the protection of refugee rights. According to these provisions, refugees are guaranteed the right to work, receive education, find housing, enjoy religious freedom, and obtain identification and travel documents.

According to the core principle of the Convention, 'non-refoulement', no refugee can be sent back to a place where their life or freedom is in serious danger.

The World Refugee Day provides an opportunity to honor the courage, patience, and efforts of refugees in rebuilding their lives, and the world organization has called on governments, donor agencies, local communities, and the world community of various countries to make a common commitment to protect the safety, dignity, and rights of refugees.

According to the United Nations, it is an important commitment of the international community that individuals forced to flee war, violence, and persecution should not be forcibly returned to dangerous places and should be able to live with dignity even in displacement.

Meanwhile, in his message on this occasion, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that all individuals forced to seek refuge, and the countries and communities that provide them shelter, need stronger support.

Secretary-General Guterres mentioned in his message that as the 75th anniversary of the acceptance of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees is being celebrated, the pledge of safety and protection is equally relevant for the world community. Photo: United Nations