News Stories

In time for the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOT), UNHCR has launched a series of consultations to identify ways of further ensuring the protection of LGBTI refugees against harm, violence, and discrimination.

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

Last May 10, some 65 people have drowned after their boat sank approximately 45 nautical miles off the coast of Tunisia in one of the worst incidents on the Mediterranean in months.

The holy month of Ramadan has officially commenced. As this solemn time begins for our Muslim brothers and sisters, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi extends a warm message.

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Charlie Yaxley – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

146 refugees were evacuated today from Libya to Italy in a joint operation between UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and Italian and Libyan authorities. Italy is the first country to have stepped forward to receive evacuees from Libya since the recent violence began.

UNHCR and IOM have evacuated refugees from the Qaser Ben Gasheer detention centre in southern Tripoli amid deteriorating security and escalating violence.

“At this time of national mourning, all of us at UNHCR stand by the government and people of Sri Lanka.”

In light of the dramatically worsening security situation in Libya’s capital, Tripoli, UNHCR is urgently calling for the immediate release of refugees and migrants from places of detention. Many of these facilities are in areas where there is ongoing fighting.

Filippo Grandi stressed that it is possible to address unprecedented stigmatization of refugees and migrants.