From 13 June to 10 July, a exhibition "The protection of the rights of refugees: historical background and the present" dedicated to World Refugee Day runs in the Documents of International Organizations Reading Room (room 207g).
This day was established by the UN General Assembly on 4 December 2000 (resolution 55/76). It is celebrated annually on 20 June since 2001. The proclamation of this day is a tribute to the power of the spirit and courage of millions of people who have overcome incredible odds to rebuild their lives and become productive members of society in a complex and unusual circumstances.
According to the United Nations, more than 42 million people worldwide were forced to leave their homes and communities. It is not only figures in statistics: it’s real people and families whose lives changed radically, and the future is unclear.
Refugees do not leave their homes and villages by their own free will. They are forced to do this because of conflict or persecution. In many cases, they run to save their lives trying to ensure their safety, to seek protection and to meet their most basic needs. Parting with home does not give them the opportunity to get an education or work, and bring only suffering and painful experience of uncertainty, deprivation and intolerance.
The international community does all to alleviate the plight of these people. Recognizing the responsibility of the United Nations for the fate of refugees, the UN General Assembly in 1950 established the Office of the High Commissioner (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, which started to work since 1 January 1951. Its most important function is to provide international protection and ensuring respect for the fundamental human rights of refugees, including asylum, as well as non-refoulement any of them to a country where they have reason to fear persecution.
The definition of the legal status of refugees contained in two international treaties – the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951 and its Protocol of 1967. Convention was ratified by over 140 countries, including the Republic of Belarus, which acceded to the Convention and the Protocol in May 2001. Our country contributes to international efforts to address the problems of refugees. UNHCR Representation in Belaruswas established in 1995. UNHCR implements annually in Belarus projects worth about $ 1 million, which is mainly aimed at strengthening the national asylum system. In the period 2009–2011, UNHCR implemented in Belarus two international technical assistance project: "Improving the efficiency of separation and work with migratory flows at the border and within the Republic of Belarus" and "Local Integration of Refugees in Belarus".
This thematic exhibition will introduce the readers to the activities of international, non-governmental and human rights organizations aimed at ensuring the protection of refugees, their adaptation and integration in countries of asylum. Its materials are about the status of refugees, the activities of UNHCR, as well as its domestic and foreign policy of the Republic of Belarus aimed at providing assistance to refugees in their search for a safe life, peace and stability.
The exhibition includes the following sections:
- The situation of refugees in the world.
- Refugees in modern international law.
- UNHCR’s role in protecting the rights of refugees.
- International cooperation and policy assistance to the refugees.
- The system of refugee protection in the Republic of Belarus.
The exhibition includes about 70 documents: books, booklets, periodicals, mimeographed materials. Most of the exhibitions are documents of international organizations (UN, UNESCO, the European Union, the Council of Europe) in Russian, French and English.
The exhibition is designed to political scientists, lawyers, sociologists, employees of the legislative and executive authorities, academic and research institutions, as well as for anyone interested in the problems of refugees and migration and asylum.
Useful links
UN system
- UN High Commissioner for Refugees
- Humanitarian Affairs
- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
- Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
- International protection and assistance to refugees
- Humanitarian affairs
- Humanitarian aid
- Internally displaced persons
- Protection of civilians in armed conflict
- UN works in emergency situations
- Refugees (Cyberschoolbus OOH)
Key documents
- UN General Assembly to proclaim the Day (A/RES/55/76)
- Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (1951)
- Protocol to the Convention on the Status of Refugees (1967)
Additional documents
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