75 years later, the promise to protect refugees faces its greatest test
Qinilo.com –
Renewing Our Commitment to Refugees at a Critical Moment
Seventy-five years later, the promise to protect refugees faces its most significant challenge in decades. As the international community marks seven and a half decades since the landmark Refugee Convention was established, UNHCR has launched a comprehensive global campaign to strengthen protections for those compelled to flee their homelands due to armed conflict, violence, and persecution. This ambitious initiative, titled “The Promise,” seeks to galvanize governments, international institutions, and everyday citizens to reaffirm their unwavering dedication to displaced populations worldwide.
The timing of this renewed commitment could not be more significant. Currently, over 41 million individuals across the globe find themselves displaced from their homelands, seeking safety and security. Ongoing conflicts continue to tear families apart while placing mounting strain on asylum frameworks and nations that welcome those seeking refuge. As 75 years later the promise to protect becomes central to global humanitarian efforts, leaders recognize that maintaining this commitment requires unprecedented cooperation and shared responsibility.
A Coalition for Change
Under the visionary guidance of UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, this initiative works toward assembling a comprehensive alliance dedicated to refugee protection. The effort builds substantial momentum toward the Global Refugee Forum scheduled for 2027, where representatives from civil society, governments, and international organizations will gather to reconfirm the fundamental right to seek asylum and to help rebuild lives shattered by persecution and war.
The inaugural group of 75 signatories includes prominent figures such as actor-humanitarians Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, and Ben Stiller, alongside Nobel Peace Prize recipient Malala Yousafzai. Beyond entertainment and humanitarian circles, the campaign has attracted refugee leaders, business professionals, faith representatives, and human rights defenders who collectively believe that 75 years later the promise must be honored through concrete action.
Keeping the Promise Alive
“Seventy-five years ago, the world made a promise to protect people forced to flee,” noted UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih. “Our responsibility now is to keep that promise alive, for all generations to come.”
These signatories collectively advocate for a global vision where those compelled to escape can find safety, where refugees are embraced by host communities, and where governments take proactive measures to assist nations receiving displaced populations while pursuing enduring solutions to displacement crises. The campaign emphasizes that protecting refugees is not merely a humanitarian obligation but a moral imperative that transcends borders and generations.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted that maintaining this commitment demands unwavering international solidarity. He stressed that genuine cooperation and shared responsibility are essential, particularly in supporting countries and communities—many possessing limited resources—that accommodate the greatest concentrations of refugees. His message reinforces that 75 years later the promise remains as vital today as it was when first established.
A Foundation Built in 1951
The Refugee Convention, adopted in 1951 following the devastating aftermath of the Second World War, created the legal framework for refugee protection that continues to guide international policy today. Its cornerstone principle establishes that individuals fleeing persecution must not be sent back to face danger, a concept known as non-refoulement that remains central to refugee rights.
According to UNHCR, these foundational principles remain as crucial today as they were decades ago, even as unprecedented levels of displacement challenge humanitarian systems worldwide. The agency continues to emphasize the need to bolster host nations and communities, broaden opportunities for refugees, and establish conditions enabling voluntary return and other permanent solutions. As we look toward the future, the commitment made 75 years ago must evolve to meet contemporary challenges.
“We must support host countries and communities, expand opportunities for refugees, and create the conditions for voluntary return and other lasting solutions,” said Ms. Salih.
Through this initiative, UNHCR aims to strengthen the enduring principles of the Refugee Convention during a period when millions remain displaced and humanitarian requirements continue to expand across the globe. The campaign represents more than a celebration of history—it is a call to action that ensures 75 years later the promise to protect refugees remains not just a historical commitment, but a living, breathing obligation that guides international response to displacement crises worldwide.