The U.N. refugee agency is marking the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, the landmark agreement created in the aftermath of World War II to protect people forced to flee conflict, violence and persecution. The anniversary is being observed in Geneva, where attention is turning to the treaty’s history and its relevance today.
The occasion is also being shaped by the voices of six refugees who are speaking publicly as part of the milestone. Their participation underscores the human impact behind the legal framework and places personal experience at the center of the anniversary.
The 1951 Refugee Convention is widely seen as a cornerstone of international refugee protection. Supporters argue that, decades after it was adopted, the agreement remains a critical tool for defining who qualifies for refuge and for guiding how governments respond to people escaping danger.
As global displacement remains a major international issue, the 75-year mark is prompting renewed focus on how countries uphold protections for those seeking safety. The anniversary serves as both a historical reflection and a reminder of the continuing challenges facing refugees around the world.
