Refugee Convention at 75: The World Must Keep the Promise That Saved Me
It’s been ten years since I crossed the Aegean Sea in an overcrowded inflatable boat, hoping only to survive. But what saved me was more than just a chance to rebuild my life – it was a promise that people forced to flee persecution would never again be left without protection.
The 1951 Refugee Convention is a landmark international agreement created after one of history’s darkest chapters to ensure that individuals who have been displaced due to conflict, violence, and persecution are given the opportunity to start anew. For millions around the world, it represents hope, protection, and a chance at rebuilding their lives.
As I look back on my own journey, I realize how different mine could have ended if not for this promise. Without access to asylum, I would never have had the chance to compete in two Olympic Games or become a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, using my voice to advocate for others who are still waiting for their turn.
Today, more than 120 million people around the world have been forced from their homes by conflict and violence. But no one experiences displacement as a statistic – every number represents a person with dreams, talents, and ambitions that need protection.
The international refugee system is under immense pressure. Conflicts are lasting longer, new crises continue to emerge, and many countries hosting large refugee populations struggle to share the responsibilities fairly. Meanwhile, refugees often face closed borders, treacherous journeys, and growing hostility.
No one should be forced back into danger or denied safety. Every refugee deserves dignity – not just as a legal document but as a human being with inherent worth and value.
The Refugee Convention remains an essential reminder of this promise. In 2025, I returned to Syria for the first time in over a decade, finding it difficult to reconcile my past experiences with the present reality. The journey back was emotional, reminding me that returning home is not just about crossing borders but also about rebuilding lives.
For many refugees around the world, those conditions still do not exist. That’s why the Refugee Convention remains crucial today – protecting people from displacement and giving them a chance to rebuild their lives afterwards.
Protection is not only about surviving the journey; it’s about providing opportunities for education, employment, healthcare, and housing. It’s about creating safe spaces where refugees can feel secure and supported as they work towards rebuilding their lives.
The world must keep this promise that saved me – one of hope, protection, and a chance at a better tomorrow. Seventy-five years after the Refugee Convention was signed, its message remains as relevant today as it was in 1951: people forced to flee persecution will never again be abandoned.
Source: Al Jazeera
Based on reporting from Al Jazeera.
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