Devendra Kumar
Gillian Triggs, UN Assistant Secretary-General, has expressed concerns that revising the 1951 UN Refugee Convention would lead to a decline in refugee rights. Speaking at the One Young World Summit in Belfast, Triggs emphasized that despite the current system’s limitations, it is working and that reform could potentially undermine the progress made in protecting the rights of refugees. The convention provides a robust framework for refugee protection, ensuring that individuals who have fled their homes due to persecution or war are not returned to a country where their life or freedom is threatened.
Triggs attributed the current “global environment of populist rhetoric” to a major threat to refugees. She argued that criticism of the system can be exploited by politicians to justify harsh measures, such as denying asylum to individuals or detaining them indefinitely. Triggs warned that even well-intentioned efforts to reform the convention could be hijacked by populist sentiment, resulting in a less protective framework for refugees.
The current environment is making it increasingly difficult to defend the rights of refugees, and Triggs emphasized the need for a more nuanced approach to address the complex challenges facing refugee protection. Climate change is another significant driver of displacement, according to Triggs, and she pointed to the example of Lake Chad, where rapid environmental degradation is leading to widespread displacement and conflict. Triggs acknowledged the challenges of defining a climate refugee, noting that the distinction between slow-onset displacement and forced migration can be blurred.
Triggs emphasized that international human rights law applies to all individuals, but the concept of a refugee is specifically defined to protect those who have been forced to flee their homes due to a well-founded fear of persecution or violence. She warned that any revisions to the convention must be made with caution, as the rights of refugees are at risk of being undermined by well-intentioned but flawed reforms.
Instead, Triggs advocated for a more progressive approach to refugee protection, one that recognizes the challenges posed by climate change while also ensuring that the rights of refugees are protected. Triggs’ concerns and insights serve as a timely reminder of the importance of preserving and strengthening the international frameworks that protect the vulnerable as the world grapples with the complexities of climate change, refugee protection, and human rights.
Triggs’ warnings about the potential consequences of reopening the Refugee Convention serve as a reminder of the need for a more progressive approach to refugee protection. By balancing the challenges of climate change with the need to protect the rights of refugees, the international community can ensure that the rights of refugees are protected and that the most vulnerable individuals are not left behind.