The Refugee Convention

In 2026, the 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention will be reached. Sadly, it remains as relevant as ever in a world blighted by war and oppression that force many people to flee their home country to escape persecution.

Nonetheless, various political actors and commentators in relatively rich countries now suggest the Convention may be out of date. As explained in this briefing, there is no sound basis for any such criticism.

The realities that cause refugees to seek asylum have not fundamentally changed since 1951, when the Convention was first agreed. Nor has the the need for countries to cooperate on meeting refugees' right to seek and be given asylum by ways that manage the effects of forced displacement rather than worsen these.

However, what has changed is that the populations and politicians of many countries - particularly the richer countries of Europe - now have little memory or familiarity with the conditions (war, persecution, mass displacement of people) that first prompted these countries to come together with others to create the Convention.