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UN marks 70th anniversary of refugee convention as public figures join 'Promise'
Summary
Spokesperson Farhan said the UN marked the 70th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, called for renewed commitment to asylum rights, and announced 75 public figures joining a UNHCR-led 'Promise' to support refugee protection.
The United Nations marked the 70th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, and the secretary-general warned that the treaty’s promise of protection is under strain, spokesperson Farhan said.
‘‘The convention has saved millions of lives and stands among the clearest expressions of our common humanity,’’ Farhan said, reporting the secretary-general's remarks and urging member states to renew their commitment to fair and humane asylum procedures and to reject policies that externalize protection.
Farhan also said 75 leading figures have joined the UN Refugee Agency in launching the 'Promise,' convened by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Saleh. Among signatories cited by the briefing were Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie, Ben Stiller, Malala Yousafzai and Nadia Murad.
The spokesperson emphasized that renewed political will and international solidarity are needed as conflicts and persecution force increasing numbers of people to flee.
