Today marks the sixth annual World Refugee Day. Back in 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in solidarity with Africa, which hosted the greatest number of internally displaced people in the world. The Assembly decided that the first World Refugee Day should coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. Thus, they designated June 20th, 2001 as the first day to actively commemorate, discuss and act on behalf of the tens of millions of men, women and children who have been forced to leave their homes because of ethnic warfare, military conflict, environmental hazards, sectarian infighting, political persecution and countless other reasons that make a return impossible.
<>Personally, I find commemorative occasions like these a little problematic, particularly given the current political situation with respect to refugees. All too often these type of occasions are misappropriated by politicians looking to divert the attention away from the issue at hand to their own political agenda – a time to make commitments, which are often quickly forgotten. The plight of Iraqi refugees is a case in point and we have reported on how many developed countries are either refusing to accept additional migrants from Iraq or are beginning to send them back into what is undoubtedly among the deadliest, bloodiest civil wars of recent history and one which will continue for years to come. In other parts of the world, refugees are held hostage to the political interests of a splinter terrorist group, as is currently the case in Lebanon. Across the Mediterranean, hundreds of African – many of them refugees – float adrift at sea without basic care while European governments haughtily debate political responsibilities. Both Europe and the United States are currently debating new immigration legislation focused on sealing off the borders of each country to unwanted migrants. As the UN High Commissioner for Refugees rightly warns, this cannot happen at the expense of the most needy, which turn to these countries for protection and shelter.
<>Nevertheless, these occasions do serve as a welcome opportunity for the media to turn its eye toward the plight of those living often for months and years in makeshift camps, dependent on the aid they receive from international relief agencies, such as the UNHCR. We have compiled a list of articles and informational material on World Refugee Day here and encourage you to share this information widely. The more people know about the difficulties these people face in deciding to leave their homes for an insecure, often perilous future will hopefully trigger some kind of action – a letter to your government, a donation toward the efforts of refugee relief agencies, a personal commitment to helping refugees through volunteer work – there are many ways to help the world to sit up, listen and take action.
<>Links:
CNN.com – Special Coverage of World Refugee Day
BBC: UN rallies world to help
ninemillion.org – UN refugee campaign, highlighting the story of young migrants
List of UNHCR special national events on World Refugee Day
Amnesty International – World Refugee Day
Refugees International – World Refugee Day
Africa's Forgotten Refugees and Returnees – Refugees International Statement to the US Committee on Foreign Affairs
European Council for Refugees and Exiles
International Red Cross – Displaced persons website
