On June 22nd, 2026, Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) attended a side event at the Palais des Nations in Geneva for the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council, focusing on the enduring role in human rights protection of the Refugee Convention. The panel was organised by the Platform of Independent Experts on Refugee Rights, along with UNHCR and OHCHR, and in conjunction with the Group of Friends of the PIERR.
Key Highlights:
A panel of international experts reaffirmed the enduring relevance of the principles of the Refugee Convention in today’s global landscape and highlighted the complementarity of human rights and refugee law in refugee protection and solutions.
They highlighted the disastrous situation faced by refugees in countries like Sudan and Myanmar, and they underscore the need for renewed multilateral cooperation grounded in collective responsibility, in the spirit of the Refugee Convention.
Siobhán Mullally, the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, highlighted the forthcoming implementation of a cross-regional platform designed to facilitate the early identification of human rights violations affecting refugees.
Spotlight on Afghanistan:
Bahishta Nohtani, an Afghan refugee based in Geneva and co-founder of the Afghanistan Women’s Rights Association, previously resided as an irregular immigrant in Iran and Pakistan. She delivered a speech to raise awareness about the situation of Afghan refugees, especially women and children. Notably, she highlighted the violent treatment of migrant women and children by Iranian police, as well as the lack of programs for migrant children.
She strongly condemned the recent waves of forced deportations of Afghan refugees from neighbouring countries, which return vulnerable individuals to a state of extreme danger.
Disagreement on the Uyghur Refugee Situation:
Dolkun Isa, a prominent Uyghur human rights activist, co-founder, and the third President of the World Uyghur Congress, raised a solemn alarm regarding the continuous persecution and mass displacement of the Uyghur population in Xinjiang. He called for stronger international protection for Uyghur refugees who face risks of transnational repression and unlawful refoulement.
However, the Chinese delegate formally refuted the allegations and urged the audience not to believe the statement. She asserted that foreign ambassadors who recently visited Xinjiang observed “nothing abnormal” in the region.