World Refugee Day, Human Rights First
June 20, 2018
Human Rights First
New York, NY
Directed by: Issam Khoury
On December 4th 2000, the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 55/76 decided that June 17th would be officially celebrated as World Refugee Day. In this resolution, the General Assembly noted that 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the World Day of Migrants and Refugees is celebrated annually in January, having been instituted in 1914 by Pope Pius X. The Organisation of African Unity (OAU) have also agreed to have International Refugee Day coincide with Africa Refugee Day on June 20th.
Human Rights First is an independent advocacy and action organization that challenges America to live up to its ideals. They believe American leadership is essential in the global struggle for human rights, so they press the U.S. government and private companies to respect human rights and the rule of law. When and where the government fails, Human Rights First steps in to demand reform, accountability and justice. Around the world, they work in areas that can best harness American influence in order to secure core freedoms.
