19/06/2025 Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
On the eve of World Refugee Day (20 June), Oleksii Goncharenko (Ukraine, ECPA), Chairperson of the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons, made the following statement:
“As 2025 World Refugee Day is celebrated with a focus on solidarity, I want to stress how vital it is that the international community stands with the millions of refugees around the world. Any of us could one day be forced to flee war, political repression, persecution or the devastating consequences of climate change.
The raging war of aggression against one of the Council of Europe member States – Ukraine – has triggered substantive support to millions of people, mainly women, children and elderly, who found respite abroad, and who, subsequently, expressed profound gratitude for the solidarity they were met with in Europe. Similar support is required for all displaced people globally.
Solidarity is not just an expression of empathy, it is a commitment to practical and long-term solutions that uphold the dignity and rights of displaced people. Emergency aid is vital, but it must be accompanied by sustainable policies enabling what UNHCR calls “durable solutions” so that refugees can rebuild their lives, fully participate in society, and contribute to their host communities.
This day marks the anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, a landmark instrument that reinforced the right to seek asylum enshrined in Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In honouring this legacy, this right must be respected and defended across the globe to ensure that people fleeing danger and other dire conditions can find safety and protection. Asylum systems must be able to respond to the needs of those who claim asylum. Procedures must be fair, humane, individualised and accessible as reiterated by PACE in Resolution 2555 (2024) “Ensuring human rights-compliant asylum procedures”.
As the climate crisis intensifies, the rising number of persons displaced in the context of disasters and climate change must also be acknowledged. They have no other choice than to leave deadly places. The international community’s responses must reflect this reality, as underscored by PACE Resolution 2401(2021) on “Climate and Migration”.
Equally important is confronting the rise of hate speech and xenophobia directed at foreigners or people perceived as being foreigners. Refugees are sadly, no exception to such intolerance and aggression. Hate speech is a crime, and should be combated as such as recalled by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Recommendation CM/Rec(2022)16. Such rhetoric fuels division, erodes social cohesion, and inflicts further harm on already vulnerable people. Instead, it is vital to foster inclusion, promote understanding, and celebrate the contributions of refugees to our communities.
On this World Refugee Day, I want to call on the international community to recommit to protecting the rights of all those forced to flee, defending their right to seek safety, and promoting a world where solidarity is not just a theme, but a shared responsibility.”