WORLD REFUGEE DAY:
IPU PRESIDENT EXPRESSES HIS SOLIDARITY WITH REFUGEES

The President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIP), Mr. Pier Ferdinando Casini, expressed his solidarity with the growing number of refugees who are victims of war and conflict. He called on political leaders everywhere to raise their voices loud and clear in support of the protection of refugees.

As lawmakers, parliamentarians can adopt national refugee legislation that conforms to international law and standards, and oversee their implementation.

The President of the organization of world parliaments recalled that the IPU has a long history of concern for the fate of refugees. Its resolutions have persistently urged States to accede to and implement the refugee instruments. In addition, it has never ceased to encourage all parliaments to contribute to the consolidation of the international refugee protection regime through a strengthened and more effective implementation of the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. Moreover, the IPU and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees have jointly published a Guide to International Refugee Law for parliamentarians, in 2001.