A CALL FOR EMPATHY AND SOLIDARITY: REFLECTIONS ON WORLD REFUGEE DAY
World Refugee Day is commemorated every June 20, a date that invites us to reflect on the difficult reality faced by millions of displaced people in search of safety and protection. This day reminds us of the importance of promoting and protecting the rights of those who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, violence or violations of their fundamental rights.
According to data provided by UNHCR, in 2022 more than 100 million people worldwide were forced to flee their homes and 27.1 millions of these were refugees.
World Refugee Day provides us with an opportunity to focus on the fundamental principles of human rights, and in particular, on protecting and respecting the rights of those who have been forced to flee. In addition, this day presents an opportunity to raise awareness of the situation of refugees and to remember that all human beings, regardless of their origin or legal status, have inherent rights that must be respected and protected by all States and actors involved.
In this sense, climate change has been affecting the human rights of thousands of people for years, leading to their forced displacement in search of better living conditions. According to UNHCR, in 2020 alone, natural disasters caused 30.7 million internal displacements in more than 140 countries. For its part, the World Bank points out that by 2050, some 216 million people will be forced to move within their country for climatic reasons. However, these are only figures for internal displacement, so this number would be higher if we took into account international migrants, who still do not obtain adequate protection despite the seriousness and increase of this migratory pattern.
In this regard, it is important to highlight the situation of indigenous peoples, who are not being allowed to enjoy their rights under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Climate change, together with extractive activities and the plundering and expulsion from their lands, are forcing these communities to abandon their ancestral territories in search of new regions to settle in. This situation is aggravated by the fact that they are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to their direct dependence on natural resources and, often, their lack of access to resources to adapt to environmental variations. Likewise, their worldview and their way of relating to the environment are also particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to their direct dependence on natural resources and, often, their lack of access to resources to adapt to environmental variations.
One of the most significant actions in the indigenous struggle for their human rights is the presentation by the State of Vanuatu of a proposal to the United Nations General Assembly, requesting an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States with respect to climate change. In March of this year, the UN passed the resolution and took a further step towards establishing the legal basis for climate justice.
It should be recalled that one of the fundamental principles in the protection of the human rights of refugees is the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits forcing a person to return to a country where they would face persecution, torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, or any other form of serious threat to their life or freedom. This principle is stipulated in international refugee law and reinforces the commitment of States to ensure the protection of those fleeing situations of persecution or violence.
It is essential to remember that the protection of the rights of refugees is a shared responsibility, and States must guarantee fair and effective access to the asylum application process, as well as provide adequate reception and protection conditions.
In order to achieve the proper inclusion of migrants in host communities, it is important to promote their social and economic integration, fostering interculturality and providing them with opportunities for employment, education and participation in community life.
However, despite progress in protecting the rights of refugees, they still face numerous challenges and obstacles. Lack of political will, xenophobia and discrimination are some of the barriers that hinder the full realization of their human rights.
Therefore, from FIBGAR we want to remember that the protection of human rights is everyone’s responsibility, and that the international community must promote inclusion, tolerance and respect for migrants. Thus, from our Foundation we are committed to the education of the reality of all forcibly displaced people and the promotion and consolidation of an interculturality that helps the inclusion of all communities.
Javier Porres, FIBGAR collaborator
Madrid, 20 / 06 / 2023
