Refugees Mark 75 Years of UN Treaty Amid Ongoing Global Displacement
On the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, six displaced individuals shared personal stories that highlight the treaty’s impact and the challenges still faced by millions worldwide.
Seventy-five years after the adoption of the 1951 Refugee Convention, the treaty’s anniversary was observed with testimonies from six people who have sought safety under its protections. The agreement, signed by almost 150 countries, established the definition of a refugee, guaranteed basic rights, and introduced the non-refoulement rule that bars returning individuals to danger. Stories ranged from Sayed Alom, a Rohingya who has lived in Bangladeshi camps since 2017, to Juan Carlos Arce, a Nicaraguan lawyer who escaped a 2018 crackdown and now resettles in Spain.
Others included an 88-year-old Palestinian in Lebanon, a Holocaust-era immigrant to the United States, NBA player Wenyen Gabriel, and Syrian swimmers Yusra and Sarah Mardini now based in Germany. While the convention has saved countless lives, recent trends—such as the United States’ policy of sending asylum seekers to third countries under President Donald Trump—show growing strain on its implementation. With more than 41 million people still displaced and over 130 armed conflicts worldwide, the treaty’s relevance remains critical.
Why it matters
The story shows how a historic treaty still saves lives while highlighting growing global challenges to refugee protection.
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