Press Release
Published on July 28, 2026
Washington, D.C. — On the 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention, Human Rights First calls on the United States and UN Member States to celebrate the millions of lives the Convention has saved and take concrete steps to strengthen the protection of refugees around the world and here in the United States.
“This momentous anniversary is an opportunity for all States around the world to reaffirm and reinvigorate their commitments to the protection of people at risk of persecution, and reject policies and practices that endanger their lives,” said Uzra Zeya, President and CEO of Human Rights First. “While the current U.S. administration has disparaged the Refugee Convention and launched policies that trample on its protections, including a new interim final rule that further erodes access to asylum, many other States have reaffirmed their commitment to this life-saving Convention and its principles. It is more important than ever that States, civil society organizations and communities around the world stand up for refugees, human rights and the rule of law.”
Human Rights First joined in the statement and recommendations of the global civil society coalition of faith-based, refugee-led, human rights and humanitarian organizations marking the Convention’s 75th anniversary. In the face of peak displacement, debilitating aid cuts, diminishing access to asylum, and massive resettlement cuts, principled and effective action is needed to address today’s challenges. States, civil society, the private sector and others must take concrete steps to strengthen adherence to the Refugee Convention and nonrefoulement including to: bolster effective, rights-respecting reception and protection capacities; properly resource prompt, fair, credible and effective asylum systems; substantially scale up resettlement, community sponsorship and complementary pathways; facilitate family unity, integration and naturalization; and embrace fact-based discussions and narratives rooted in shared values and hope over fear.
Over the last year, Human Rights First and over 300 faith-based, refugee-led, human rights and humanitarian organizations, across regions called on UN Member States to reaffirm and uphold human rights, humanitarian and refugee treaties, including the Refugee Convention. States have, overwhelmingly, reaffirmed their commitment to the Refugee Convention and its Protocol, including at UNHCR meetings in October 2025 and June 2026.
75 years after the signing of the Refugee Convention, communities around the world continue to recognize the importance of welcoming those fleeing from harm and persecution. The Refugee Convention enshrined a fundamental truth all those years ago - that people seeking safety deserve protection and deserve a safe haven.
