75 Years of Refugee Convention: Six Voices on Fleeing Persecution
July 28, 2026, marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, a treaty born after World War II to protect people fleeing war, violence, and persecution. Supporters say the convention has saved millions of lives by defining who is a refugee, outlining their rights, and establishing standards of treatment. Nearly 150 countries are parties to the convention, which upholds the principle of 'non-refoulement' — prohibiting the return of individuals to places where they face serious harm.
However, respect for the treaty has faced challenges. Some countries have restricted asylum seekers, including the United States under President Donald Trump, which adopted a policy of sending asylum seekers to third countries, a departure from previous U.S. policy. Currently, over 41 million people are forcibly displaced, with nearly 70% hosted by low- and middle-income nations. The International Committee of the Red Cross reports more than 130 armed conflicts worldwide, indicating the potential for further displacement.
Here are the stories of three refugees who shared their experiences with the Associated Press, illustrating the convention's impact on individual lives.
Sayed Alom, a Rohingya humanitarian aid worker, fled Myanmar in 2017 amid widespread violence. He recalled: 'Myanmar's military forces raped our mothers and sisters, burned down our homes, threw our children into the river and set them on fire. We were persecuted until we could no longer live there.' He now lives in refugee camps in Bangladesh, where conditions have deteriorated with kidnappings, extreme heat, floods, and landslides. He had hoped to return home quickly but remains in limbo.
Juan Carlos Arce, a human rights lawyer from Nicaragua, fled to Costa Rica in 2018 after a government crackdown on protesters. He worked for the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights, which was labeled a 'terrorist organisation' by President Daniel Ortega's government. Granted asylum in Costa Rica, he later moved to Barcelona, Spain, under a UN resettlement programme. 'Feeling safe and protected, that is priceless,' he said.
Hussniyah Ahmad Ghozlan, 88, fled her village in Palestine during the 1948 war and has lived in Lebanon's Shatila camp ever since. She recalled: 'We got by because we worked, raised our children and built our lives.' When asked about the Refugee Convention, she laughed, noting she never learned to read or write.
The 1951 Refugee Convention remains a cornerstone of international protection, but these stories highlight the ongoing struggles of refugees and the need for continued commitment to its principles.
