Refugee Council USA Commemorates the Anniversary of the Refugee Convention: Turning 75 Years of Commitment into Action

Washington, D.C. – Seventy-five years ago, in reaction to the horrors of World War II, the international community made a solemn commitment that people fleeing persecution would not be sent back to danger, and nations would share responsibility for protecting those forced to flee.

The 75th anniversary of the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees is not just a milestone; it must be a call to action.

When the United States joined the Refugee Convention, our country promised to permanently protect the most at-risk refugees. For decades, we have understood and boldly reaffirmed that welcoming refugees saves lives, strengthens communities, and advances our national interests. Today, as displacement reaches historic levels, that promise is being tested.

The United States is currently dismantling the protections enshrined in the Refugee Convention, turning a blind eye to the most at-risk refugees left stranded abroad while indiscriminately targeting refugees for “re-vetting” and asylum seekers for detention and deportations under punitive enforcement operations. 

We cannot retreat from our commitments. We must rebuild and strengthen the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, protect the right to seek asylum, expand complementary pathways to safety, and ensure refugees and refugee-led organizations are partners in shaping the policies that affect their lives. We cannot allow fear to replace facts or indifference to replace responsibility,” said John Slocum, Executive Director of RCUSA, “The Refugee Convention remains one of the world’s greatest human rights achievements because it affirms a simple truth: every person deserves safety, dignity, and the opportunity to rebuild their life.

On this anniversary, join RCUSA in calling on Congress to restore U.S. leadership in refugee protection by restoring, investing in, and safeguarding a refugee resettlement program for the most at-risk, restoring and strengthening access to asylum protections, and rejecting policies that undermine international and humanitarian protection.

Take one minute to email your state and local elected officials to fight for at-risk refugees here. Then tell your Members of Congress to hold the U.S. administration accountable, as well, here. 

Read more about the Global Civil Society Coalition Calls for Strengthened Implementation and Narratives Rooted in Hope and Solidarity here. 

History will judge this moment not by the promises we celebrate, but by the lives we choose to protect. The next 75 years begin with the decisions we make today.