International Days

World Refugee Day

Today we celebrate World Refugee Day. This day was established to honor those who are forced to flee, leaving their homes, families, and friends behind. Everyone, whoever or wherever they are, has the right to seek refuge.

The status of refugee was legally established by the 1951 Refugee Convention. The term refers to those who "fear being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion".

World Refugee Day and other international days like it serve to draw attention to the situation of those fleeing violence or persecution across the world. We must push for a global effort to demand rightful and fair treatment for refugees and stop illegitimate pushback.