Three Anniversaries, One Message: the Right to Protection Saves Lives

Belgrade, 19 June – Ahead of World Refugee Day, the Representation of the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Serbia marked three significant milestones at a ceremony held at the Museum of Applied Arts – 50 years of UNHCR’s work in Serbia, the 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention, and the 65th anniversary of the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

In the aftermath of the Second World War, states agreed that anyone forced to flee their country due to armed conflict or fear of persecution has the right to seek safety and rebuild their life in another country. This universal commitment was enshrined in the 1951 Refugee Convention, which has helped save millions of lives worldwide over the past 75 years. In addition, 65 years ago, states committed to working together to eradicate statelessness and prevent it from arising in the future.

Over the course of five decades, UNHCR in the former Yugoslavia, and later in Serbia, has worked in partnership with institutions and civil society organizations, supporting refugees, internally displaced persons, and stateless individuals, with the aim of facilitating and improving the enjoyment of rights guaranteed under international instruments as well as national legislation.

“We will continue to uphold the promise set out in the Refugee Convention, until everyone is safe. The right to safety and protection concerns us all. Who among us can say with certainty that we, or those we love, will never need it? At a time when forced displacement is nearing record levels and the right to seek asylum is under increasing pressure, the relevance of this Convention is greater than ever. For nearly 42 million refugees worldwide, it represents the difference between despair and hope, and sometimes between life and death” said Soufiane Adjali, Head of UNHCR’s Representation in Serbia, adding:

“The Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness is equally important. Having a nationality means having the protection of a state. It is essential for the enjoyment of fundamental rights and can, in some cases, be life-saving, especially in times of crisis. I would like to express my deep appreciation to the Republic of Serbia for ratifying and implementing these important conventions.”

The Refugee Convention is a legal instrument that defines what it means to provide protection to people forced to flee their countries—not only safety from violence, but also access to rights, including legal status, education, healthcare, the right to work, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives with dignity. Refugees and asylum seekers in Serbia have access to all of these rights under the Law on Asylum and Temporary Protection, which incorporates the core principles of the Convention.

Over the decades, the focus of UNHCR’s support has evolved in response to global and regional crises - from people forcibly displaced from Romania and Albania in the 1970s and 1980s, to refugees from the former Yugoslavia and internally displaced persons, as well as refugees from countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia and Minister of the Interior Ivica Dačić said that, over the past half century, UNHCR has been a reliable and committed partner of the Republic of Serbia in protecting refugees, asylum-seekers and persons at risk of statelessness. He emphasized that the Ministry of the Interior and the Representation of this important UN agency in Serbia have worked successfully together for almost two decades to improve the asylum and protection system in line with international standards and best practices.

Emphasizing that the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of the Interior will remain firmly committed to cooperation with UNHCR and all relevant partners, Minister Dačić noted that protecting refugees, supporting asylum-seekers, combating human trafficking and addressing irregular migration are a shared responsibility, and that sustainable results can only be achieved through joint action by state institutions, international organizations and civil society organizations.

“I wish to underline that, in the Republic of Serbia, you have a reliable, responsible and committed partner, ready to continue contributing to our joint efforts to protect refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless persons,” said Minister of the Interior Ivica Dačić on the occasion of UNHCR’s anniversary.

The event was held in the lead-up to World Refugee Day, observed on 20 June worldwide, as an opportunity to recognize the strength and resilience of people forced to flee, acknowledge the hardships they have endured, and highlight the challenges they continue to face.

“World Refugee Day is an expression of support for millions of people around the world who, faced with violence and grave human rights violations, have been forced to seek safety far from their homes. This year’s theme, ‘Until Everyone is Safe’, reminds us that safety must be a universal right, not a privilege. It calls on us to shared responsibility and solidarity, not only in words, but also through concrete action: by providing support, strengthening integration into new communities and finding lasting solutions, including safe return or a new beginning,” said Nataša Stanisavljević, Commissioner for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia, adding:

“Today, we want to send a clear message of support to all people who, due to wars and brutal human rights violations, have been forced to leave their homes. We also want to amplify the voices of those who come to our country in search of refuge and protection, with the message that they are welcome in the Republic of Serbia. The Republic of Serbia and the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration will continue to provide support and assistance to all those who need it most, remaining committed to humanity, solidarity and the protection of every individual’s dignity — because only when everyone is safe can we speak of true security.”

As part of the event, an exhibition featuring works by artists with refugee backgrounds was opened. The exhibition includes works by Reza Sharifi, a graduate of the Faculty of Applied Arts in Belgrade and a refugee from Afghanistan, Nataliia Trokhymets from Ukraine, a doctor and naive artist, and Remy Hernandez from Cuba, an academic painter and asylum seeker.

The exhibition will be open to visitors until 24 June at the Museum of Applied Arts. Through an interactive installation – including audio testimonies of former UNHCR staff, a virtual reality experience of a refugee camp in Jordan, and an overview of the two conventions – visitors will also have the opportunity to gain an authentic insight into the lives and challenges of people forced to flee their homes.