Jolie, Blanchett appeal for refugee protections as UN convention turns 75
Actors Angelina Jolie and Cate Blanchett, along with Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally, called for refugee protections to be upheld as the United Nations decried mounting pressure on asylum systems. The U.N. refugee agency issued a statement of support for the 1951 …
Intelligence analysis by Llama
Actors Angelina Jolie and Cate Blanchett, along with Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally, called for refugee protections to be upheld as the United Nations decried mounting pressure on asylum systems. The U.N. refugee agency issued a statement of support for the 1951 Refugee Convention, signed by dozens of celebrities, athletes, business leaders, and faith leaders.
Imagine you're forced to leave your home because of war or persecution. The 1951 Refugee Convention is a promise to protect people like you who are fleeing for their lives. But some governments are making it harder for people to get the help they need. Actors Angelina Jolie and Cate Blanchett, along with others, are calling for this promise to be kept.
Analysis
A Global Call to Action
The 1951 Refugee Convention, drafted in the aftermath of World War Two, has been a cornerstone of international law for protecting refugees. As the convention turns 75, a group of public figures, including actors Angelina Jolie and Cate Blanchett, Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally, and former Iraqi President Barham Salih, have come together to call for refugee protections to be upheld. The U.N. refugee agency has issued a statement of support for the convention, signed by dozens of celebrities, athletes, business leaders, and faith leaders.
The Challenges Facing Refugees
The world is facing a near-record displacement crisis, with conflicts proliferating and governments tightening border controls. The U.N. refugee agency has laid off thousands of workers and announced further cuts this year due to financial pressure. The agency's available funding fell roughly 30% in 2025 amid donor cuts. Rights groups are concerned about growing asylum curbs, such as the European Union's plans for detention centres abroad and U.S. President Donald Trump's restrictions on refugee admissions.
The Promise of the Convention
The 1951 Refugee Convention has been ratified by 149 states, making it one of the most widely supported international legal frameworks. The convention and its 1967 protocol have been ratified by 149 states, making them among the most widely supported international legal frameworks. However, the convention's effectiveness is being tested as governments increasingly tighten border controls and asylum systems face mounting pressure. The U.N. refugee agency's statement of support for the convention is a crucial reminder of the importance of upholding refugee protections and keeping the promise of the convention alive for all generations to come.
Key points
- Actors Angelina Jolie and Cate Blanchett, along with Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally, called for refugee protections to be upheld.
- The U.N. refugee agency issued a statement of support for the 1951 Refugee Convention, signed by dozens of celebrities, athletes, business leaders, and faith leaders.
- The world is facing a near-record displacement crisis, with conflicts proliferating and governments tightening border controls.
- The U.N. refugee agency has laid off thousands of workers and announced further cuts this year due to financial pressure.
- Rights groups are concerned about growing asylum curbs, such as the European Union's plans for detention centres abroad and U.S. President Donald Trump's restrictions on refugee admissions.
The appeal for refugee protections and the U.N. refugee agency's statement of support for the 1951 Refugee Convention may lead to increased awareness and pressure on governments to uphold refugee protections. This could result in more funding for the U.N. refugee agency and a reduction in asylum curbs.
The growing pressure on asylum systems and the tightening of border controls may lead to a decrease in refugee protections and an increase in asylum curbs. This could result in more people being denied access to help and a worsening of the displacement crisis.