World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives.

The claim for this International Day in 2022 is "Whoever. Wherever. Whenever. Everyone has the right to seek safety".

What does seeking safety mean?

1. Right to seek asylumAnyone fleeing persecution, conflict, or human rights abuses has a right to seek protection in another country.

2. Safe accessBorders should remain open to all people forced to flee. Restricting access and closing borders can make the journey even more dangerous for people seeking safety.

3. No pushbacksPeople can’t be forced to return to a country if their life or freedom would be at risk. This means that countries shouldn’t push anyone back without first evaluating the dangers they would face back home.

4. No discriminationPeople should not be discriminated against at borders. All applications for refugee status must be given fair consideration, regardless of factors like race, religion, gender and country of origin.

5. Humane treatmentPeople forced to flee should be treated with respect and dignity. They are entitled to safe and dignified treatment like any human being. Among other things, this means keeping families together, protecting people from traffickers, and avoiding arbitrary detention.

Here you will find links related to resources on refugees movements and the cities as a new host environment.