Antonio Gutierrez: "Becoming a refugee is never a choice"

With conflict and its consequences of refugees and asylum-seekers still major components of our global landscape, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Gutierrez, issued this statement to mark World Refugee Day 2025: "Today, we recognize the millions of refugees forced to flee war, persecution, and disaster. Every individual carries a story of profound loss – of a family uprooted and a future upended. Many face closed doors and a rising tide of xenophobia. From Sudan to Ukraine, from Haiti to Myanmar, a record number of people are on the run for their lives – while support is dwindling. And host communities, often in developing countries, are shouldering the greatest burden. This is unfair and unsustainable. But even as the world falls short, refugees continue to show extraordinary courage, resilience and determination. And when given the chance, they contribute meaningfully – strengthening economies, enriching cultures, and deepening social bonds. On this World Refugee Day, solidarity must go beyond words. Solidarity must mean boosting humanitarian and development support, expanding protection and durable solutions such as resettlement, and upholding the right to seek asylum – a pillar of international law. It must also mean listening to refugees and ensuring they have a voice in shaping their futures. And it must mean investing in long-term integration through education, decent work, and equal rights. Becoming a refugee is never a choice. But how we respond is. So let us choose solidarity. Let us choose courage. Let us choose humanity." While few would disagree with the sentiments expressed, other organisations call for much more vigorous efforts to address the root causes of what drives people to leave their homelands. Europe's Diem25 movement, for instance, stresses the need not just to: End deportations and detention; Open safe and legal routes for all people on the move; Support host and migrant communities alike; but also to: Confront the root causes: war, exploitation, climate crisis, occupation.

Keywords: UN World Refugee Day 2025, António Gutierrez refugees, asylum seekers, human rights, war displacement, Diem25, UN Yemen