Voices of Refugees Highlight Enduring Impact of UN Treaty at 75 Year Milestone

Geneva - As the UN backed 1951 Refugee Convention marks its 75th anniversary, six refugees from conflict affected regions have shared powerful testimonies highlighting both the lifesaving impact of the treaty and the urgent need to strengthen global protection systems amid rising displacement.

Their stories were featured in a commemorative initiative led by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), which underscored how the convention - adopted in the aftermath of World War II - remains the cornerstone of international refugee protection. Today, more than 36 million people worldwide have been forced to flee across borders due to war, persecution, and violence.

The six refugees, originating from Syria, Sudan, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, described how the convention’s guarantees - including the right to seek asylum, access basic services, and live in safety — shaped their journeys toward rebuilding their lives.

One Syrian refugee spoke of escaping bombardment and finding safety in Europe, saying the convention “gave me a chance to start again.” A Sudanese mother who fled conflict in Darfur said international protection allowed her children to attend school for the first time. A Ukrainian student displaced by the ongoing war emphasized that legal safeguards “turned fear into hope.”

UNHCR officials noted that while the convention has saved millions of lives, global challenges — including protracted conflicts, climate driven displacement, and rising barriers to asylum - demand renewed commitment from states. They urged governments to uphold their obligations, expand safe pathways, and ensure refugees are treated with dignity.

The anniversary comes at a time when humanitarian agencies warn that displacement is at record levels, and many refugees face increasing risks at borders, in conflict zones, and during dangerous journeys.

UNHCR said the voices of refugees themselves remain the strongest reminder of why the convention was created - and why its protections are still essential 75 years later.