UNHCR aids thousands of Congolese refugees returning home from Angola
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Charlie Yaxley – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Thousands of Congolese refugees are returning from Angola to the Kasai region in the...
Once a dream, citizenship puts medical career within reach
University seemed like an impossible dream for 21-year-old Nazir, who was born stateless in Kyrgyzstan. Now he can finally study medicine. By Kate Bond in Osh, the Kyrgyz Republic In the shadow of her small, square clay brick house, Sanabar Khatamova hums softly as...
2019 Nansen Refugee Award ‘a symbol of hope’ for the world’s stateless
Lawyer Azizbek Ashurov spent over a decade helping the Kyrgyz Republic to resolve all known cases of statelessness in a historic first. By Kate Bond in Geneva, Switzerland A lawyer who spent over a decade championing the rights of more than 10,000 stateless people in...
After decades in the shadows, stateless activist says ‘finally I exist’
Actress and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Cate Blanchett interviews statelessness activist Maha Mamo about her 30-year-push to belong. Activist Maha Mamo’s face lights up as she recalls the moment a year ago when Brazil granted her citizenship, ending her 30-year quest to...
‘Bigger, broader’ vision needed to tackle forced displacement – UN refugee chief
A more ambitious international approach is needed to address contemporary drivers of displacement, Filippo Grandi tells high-level meeting. GENEVA – A “bigger, broader” international response is needed to tackle global forced displacement in a world in which new...
Kyrgz rights lawyer to be honoured at Nansen Refugee Award ceremony
Azizbek Ashurov spent over a decade helping the Kyrgyz Republic to resolve all known cases of statelessness in a historic first. By Kate Bond in Geneva, Switzerland A lawyer who has spent over a decade championing the rights of more than 10,000 stateless people in the...
UN High Commissioner for Refugees warns of risks to the fight against statelessness
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned today that recent advances in the battle to end statelessness – a leading cause of human rights deprivation for millions of people worldwide – were being imperiled by a rise in damaging forms of nationalism. In...
South Sudanese teacher dedicates his life in exile to refugees of all ages
Classes are overcrowded, there are not enough textbooks, but Koat Reath does not complain. A dedicated refugee teacher, he will do anything to improve his pupils’ lives. By Katie Nguyen in Gambella, Ethiopia The chorus of children’s voices coming from teacher Koat...