AHRC Observes World Refugee Day, Calls for Global Action and Solidarity

The American Human Rights Council (AHRC-USA) joins the international community in observing World Refugee Day on June 20, a date designated by the United Nations in 2001 to raise awareness and inspire action for the world's forcibly displaced people and refugees. This year’s theme—"Solidarity with Refugees"—calls for a renewed global commitment to empathy, protection, and justice.
This year’s observance comes as the world continues to grapple with escalating wars and conflicts, deepening an already dire refugee crisis. One of the longest-standing and most pressing challenges is the plight of Palestinian refugees, whose displacement dates back to 1948 and remains unresolved. The occupied Palestinian refugees in Gaza and the West Bank have been subject to prolonged, brutal, and inhumane extermination, starvation, and genocidal carnage.
The refugee crisis is not confined by geography or culture; it is a shared human challenge, and it is worsening. Governments, civil society, and individuals of conscience must collaborate to forge sustainable solutions grounded in dignity and compassion.
Refugees, stateless individuals, and internally displaced people make up one of the most vulnerable populations on the planet. Whether driven by war, persecution, or disaster, millions are forced to flee their homes and live under unimaginable hardship. Yet only a small fraction receives the aid, protection, and opportunity for resettlement that they so urgently need.
The United States has long been a beacon of refuge and hope, welcoming millions of refugees over the years.
AHRC-USA extends its heartfelt appreciation to the State of Michigan and Governor Gretchen Whitmer for officially recognizing World Refugee Day. This proclamation affirms Michigan’s ongoing commitment to being a place of welcome and opportunity, even in an increasingly polarized and politically charged climate. Refugees make a significant contribution to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of our communities.
Now is the time to elevate the refugee issue on the global agenda. AHRC-USA calls on all world governments—especially the U.S.—to expand refugee admissions and increase funding for organizations that support displaced communities.
We reaffirm that safety and security are fundamental human rights. The world must act with greater resolve to protect, repatriate, and resettle the forcibly displaced—because behind every number is a human story, and every human deserves a future.
To learn more about the global refugee crisis and ways to be involved, please visit,
https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/proclamations/2025/06/20/june-20-2025-world-refugee-day
https://www.unhcr.org/events/world-refugee-day-2025