OXHRF Refugee week events

(c) UNHCR

Basma El Doukhi (DEP 2019-20) reports on World Refugee Day and Refugee Week:

UNHCR’s annual Global Trends report for 2020 showed that forced displacement is now affecting more than one per cent of humanity – 1 in every 97 people – and with fewer and fewer of those who flee being able to return home. The report, which was published two days ahead of 20 June World Refugee Day, shows that an unprecedented 79.5 million were displaced as of the end of 2019.

 

“We are witnessing a changed reality in that forced displacement nowadays is not only vastly more widespread but is simply no longer a short-term and temporary phenomenon,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. “People cannot be expected to live in a state of upheaval for years on end, without a chance of going home, nor a hope of building a future where they are. We need a fundamentally new and more accepting attitude towards all who flee, coupled with a much more determined drive to unlock conflicts that go on for years and that are at the root of such immense suffering.”

Day of International Criminal Justice - watch now

Here is the complete video of the joint event by CENDEP, the Oxford Human Rights Festival and Oxford City of Sanctuary to mark the Day of International Criminal Justice on 17 July.

Whose voice counts? The fight for justice

Friday, 17 July is the Day of International Criminal Justice. It marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute on 17 July 1998, the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court, which seeks to protect people from genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. 17 July unites all those who wish to support justice, promote victims' rights, and help prevent crimes that threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world.

To mark this day CENDEP, Oxford Human Rights Festival and Oxford City of Sanctuary have organised a panel discussion on the theme: Whose voice counts? The focus of the discussion will be the Rohingya people and their struggle for justice. 

Celebrating ‘Positive Encounters’ - Oxford City of Sanctuary Refugee Week

Elizabeth Laskar writes: 

The UK will be marking Refugee Week from 15 - 22 June. Instigated in 1988 in support of World Refugee Day (which is marked on the 20 June) the aim of the week is to support ‘positive encounters’ between communities by providing opportunities to learn about the refugee experience through talks, workshops, film and the creative arts.

This year the Oxford Human Rights Festival has collaborated with Oxford City of Sanctuary to co-host two events to support CENDEP MA candidate Basma El Doukhi in her initiatives to share her story and host a panel discussion on refugees, hope, solidarity and resilience during COVID-19. You can link on the titles below to register for the events.

Refugee Week OxHRF events
16 June 5.30pm - 7pm (UK) / Online
The Personal Journey of a Young Female Stateless Refugee Basma El Doukhi

19 June 5.00pm - 7pm / Online
Panel Discussion: Narratives of Hope, Solidarity and Resilience