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Ahead of the Future Summit at UN Headquarters, a group of UN and regional human rights experts have called on Member States to create a more peaceful and just future where human rights are respected for all – including refugees.
In a statement issued the day before yesterday, the platform of independent experts on refugee rights indicated that the number of people fleeing war, conflict, persecution, human rights violations, the effects of climate change or related disasters has risen for the twelfth year in a row, reaching more than 120 million – the highest number on record.
They stressed that the Future Summit provides an opportunity to create more equitable societies – through countries adopting the Charter for the Future, the Global Digital Charter and the Declaration on Future Generations – which will enable refugees to contribute to sustainable development.
With the majority of the world’s refugees hosted in low- and middle-income countries, the platform stressed that international solidarity, including financial support, is critical to help these countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and meet protection obligations.
The experts highlighted the contribution that refugees can make to sustainable development when they have access to equal opportunities and said: “The global community must therefore embrace and harness the enormous potential, skills and talents that refugees can offer their host countries.”
The platform also called on governments and policymakers to combat racism, xenophobia, hate speech and misinformation to promote social cohesion, ensure that refugees and asylum seekers can live safely, effectively protect children and address gender inequality.
She also called on them to address the root causes of displacement in countries of origin, allowing refugees the opportunity to return, as many of them fled violence and conflict, the effects of climate change and systemic inequality.
The experts hoped that global solidarity would continue through the expanded commitments made at last year’s Global Refugee Forum. “We must all work together to protect and uphold the rights of refugees as we strive to build a just, inclusive and equitable society,” they said.
It is worth noting that the Platform of Independent Experts on Refugee Rights is independent of the United Nations, but is supported by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
