As the world marks the 2025 World Refugee Day under the theme “Solidarity with Refugees,” the Asylum and Refugee Rights Advocacy Foundation (ARRA)—also known as the Asylum and Refugee Rights Advocates—joins the global community in commemorating the resilience, strength, and dignity of millions of people forcibly displaced from their homes.

This year’s observance is not merely a ceremonial reflection—it is a clarion call to global action. In a world where over 120 million people are currently displaced due to conflict, persecution, violence, and climate-induced crises, ARRA is calling on governments, international agencies, civil society organizations, and host communities to move beyond rhetoric and embrace genuine solidarity through practical support, legal protections, and inclusive policies.

In a statement signed by Dr. Okey James Ezugwu, a legal practitioner and Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration Service (Rtd), and the Founder/Executive Director of ARRA, the organization stressed that:

“Solidarity with refugees must be more than a theme or a slogan. It must translate into tangible actions that safeguard their rights, protect their dignity, and guarantee their access to justice, healthcare, education, employment, and a safe place to call home. The world cannot afford to look away while vulnerable families and individuals suffer in camps, border crossings, and detention facilities.”

Dr. Ezugwu decried the increasing incidences of xenophobia, forced deportations, arbitrary detentions, and policy rollbacks that have worsened the plight of refugees across continents. He noted that despite the commitments made under the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, many nations continue to fall short in meeting their obligations.

“We must remind ourselves that refugees are not threats—they are victims of threats. They are not a burden to society but are potential contributors to national growth, if given the chance to rebuild their lives in safety and with dignity,” he said.

ARRA further called for enhanced global cooperation to address the root causes of displacement, and urged states to adopt and implement refugee protection frameworks that uphold international human rights and humanitarian standards.

As part of its commitment to action, the Asylum and Refugee Rights Advocacy Foundation announced its continued readiness to provide pro bono legal support, representation, and advocacy services for asylum seekers and refugees in Nigeria and across Africa. ARRA will also intensify its partnership with other rights-based organizations, policy influencers, and government stakeholders to push for more inclusive migration and refugee policies.

“On this World Refugee Day, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to stand with refugees—not just in words, but in consistent and courageous action. Solidarity is not a passive sentiment; it is a deliberate choice to build a just world where no one is left behind,” Dr. Ezugwu added.

The organization called on individuals, institutions, and policymakers to lend their voices, resources, and platforms to ensure that the fundamental rights of refugees are protected and their hopes for a better future are kept alive.