On Tuesday 28 July, we mark the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention. The Convention was created after the Second World War, when millions of people had been forced from their homes. Countries came together and made an important promise: people fleeing war, violence and persecution should be able to find safety.
Seventy-five years later, that promise still matters.
What is the Refugee Convention?
The 1951 Refugee Convention, together with its 1967 Protocol, is the main international agreement protecting refugees. It explains who can be recognised as a refugee, sets out their rights and describes the responsibilities of countries that have signed it.
At its heart is a simple but vital rule: nobody should be sent back to a country where their life or freedom would be in danger. This is sometimes called the principle of “non-refoulement”. The Convention also sets out basic standards for how refugees should be treated, including access to housing, education and work. It is more than a legal document. It is a practical, lifesaving tool that has helped protect millions of people.
A shared responsibility
The Convention recognises that no country can respond to people being forced from their homes alone. Countries need to work together, share responsibility and support the communities welcoming refugees. Fair asylum systems, safe routes and international cooperation all have an important part to play. The UK was one of the original countries to sign the Convention and helped to shape it. This is an important part of our history, but it is also an ongoing responsibility.
Why is it still important today?
The need for refugee protection has not gone away. At the end of 2025, an estimated 117.8 million people around the world had been forced to leave their homes. This included 41.6 million refugees and other people in need of international protection, as well as almost nine million people waiting for a decision on their asylum claim.
Behind every number is a person, a family and a story. People do not choose to become refugees. They leave because staying at home is no longer safe.
The Convention gives countries a clear framework for deciding who needs protection and making sure that people are not returned to danger. It also helps asylum systems work in a more organised, fair and predictable way. Protecting refugees and managing borders are not competing goals. Both can be achieved through fair decisions, effective systems and cooperation between countries.
The Convention needs to be respected
Some people argue that the Refugee Convention is out of date or should be rewritten. UNHCR’s message is clear: the Convention remains flexible, relevant and essential.
The problems facing asylum systems today are not caused by the Convention. The focus should be on putting it into practice properly, through fair and timely decisions, safe routes, support for countries hosting large numbers of refugees and better opportunities for people to rebuild their lives. As UNHCR puts it, the Convention does not need rewriting. It needs respecting.
Facts and empathy matter
Public discussion about refugees and migration is often shaped by misinformation, fear and hostile language. We believe this must change.
People seeking safety should be spoken about with dignity, respect and humanity. We need honest conversations based on facts and practical solutions, rather than language that divides communities or blames people who have already been forced to leave their homes. Refugee protection is not a threat to stability. It helps create safety, fairness and order.
Our commitment at Voices in Exile
At Voices in Exile, we see every day why the Refugee Convention matters. We support refugees, people seeking asylum and migrants at risk who are navigating complex legal systems, insecure housing, destitution and long periods of uncertainty. We help people understand and exercise their rights, access legal and practical support, and begin rebuilding their lives with dignity.
Our work is grounded in justice, solidarity and the belief that everyone deserves safety and fair treatment. We will continue to challenge policies and practices that weaken refugee protection, and to stand alongside people who have been forced to flee.
The Refugee Convention is not only a framework for protecting other people but a safeguard for all of us, because any one of us could one day need the protection it offers.
Read more about the Refugee Convention and access UNHCR’s anniversary resources.
