The National Centre for Human Rights commemorates World Refugee Day, observed annually on 20 June, by reaffirming the importance of protecting the rights of refugees and safeguarding their human dignity, while renewing its commitment to the humanitarian principles that guarantee every individual the right to safety and protection from the horrors of war, conflict, and persecution.
This year’s observance is held under the theme “The Right to Seek Safety,” which embodies one of the most fundamental principles of the international human rights system. It affirms that seeking protection and asylum is a fundamental human right for every person compelled to leave their homeland because of persecution, conflict, or disasters, and that providing protection to refugees is a shared responsibility of states, communities, and international organizations.
The Centre emphasizes that Jordan, under its Hashemite leadership and through the efforts of its people and institutions, has, for decades, provided a distinguished humanitarian model in hosting refugees. Guided by its deeply rooted Arab and humanitarian values, Jordan has welcomed successive waves of Palestinian, Syrian, Iraqi, and other refugees, while striving to provide them with essential services despite limited resources and growing economic and social challenges.
The Centre commends the steadfast positions of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, who has consistently affirmed, in various international forums, that the international community must shoulder its responsibilities toward both refugees and host countries. His Majesty has repeatedly emphasized that sustained international support is essential to ensuring the continuity of basic services and strengthening the resilience of host communities.
The Centre also reiterates that the protection of refugees extends beyond providing shelter and humanitarian assistance. It also includes ensuring the enjoyment of their fundamental rights, foremost among them the rights to education, healthcare, employment, and legal protection, while giving particular attention to the most vulnerable groups, including children, women, persons with disabilities, and older persons.
The Centre expresses its concern over the continued decline in international funding for humanitarian response efforts and the resulting adverse impacts on both refugees and host countries. This situation underscores the urgent need to strengthen international solidarity and ensure the fair and equitable sharing of responsibilities and burdens.
On World Refugee Day, the National Centre for Human Rights renews its call on the international community to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities toward refugees and to work toward just and sustainable solutions to refugee and displacement crises. Such efforts should ensure refugees a life of dignity and security and give practical effect to this year’s theme, “The Right to Seek Safety,” as a fundamental human right that must neither be diminished nor infringed upon.
The right to seek safety is not a privilege granted to individuals; it is an inherent human right. Ensuring that everyone can live in safety requires that the protection of refugees remain a shared responsibility, demanding greater solidarity, stronger commitment, and collective action.
