20 June 2017 – In commemoration of World Refugee Day, Public
Services International (PSI) calls for solidarity with the millions of refugees
worldwide, underscoring that quality public services are vital in promoting
their human rights, inclusion and integration in societies.
“Today, as we mark the United Nations
World Refugee Day, we bring solidarity to the plight of the millions of
refugees - women, children and families – who are fleeing from situations of
conflicts, persecution, violence and human rights violations. Yet, as refugees
trek dangerous journeys in search of protection, many of them end up in
poverty, forced labour, exclusion, and experience violence and racist attacks.
Of particular concern is the situation of refugee children. Due to the
lack of social protection, access to quality public services and decent work
for adult members, refugee children are deprived of their basic human rights,
such as health, nutrition, decent shelter, safety, social care and education,”
says Rosa Pavanelli, PSI General Secretary.
There are currently 65.3 million people displaced
globally, which is the highest displacement on record. Of these, 21.3 million
are refugees, over half are children below 18 years of age, and almost half are
women and girls. The 2016
New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants mandates the United Nations to forge a Global Compact
on Refugees, along with a Global Compact on Migrants by 2018.
“While we recognize the work of various
governments and actors in society caring for refugees, we also witness many
corruption scandals in the privatized services that are stealing precious
resources for refugee assistance. This is one more reason why we must not
neglect public services as vital in the protection of refugees and in the
promotion of their human rights,” says Pavanelli.
“Public service workers, along with local
authorities, are at the frontlines in receiving refugees and asylum seekers,
providing emergency response, shelter, food, health care, education and other
basic needs, including in job placement and integration. Ensuring decent work,
building capacity of frontline workers and funding of quality public services
will help promote social inclusion, reduce inequalities and fight racism and
xenophobia. This should be acknowledged and strengthened in the Global
Compacts,” stresses Pavanelli.
PSI runs a Campaign on the Human Right to Health aimed at building a global movement to influence
policies towards attaining Universal Public Health Coverage (UPHC). In 2016,
PSI was part of the UN High-Level Commission on Health Employment and
Economic Growth, which
addresses health employment and access to health, including in the Global
Compacts.
For more information on PSI’s work on Migration and
Refugees, visit www.world-psi.org.
