World Refugee Day: The search for a land of freedom

Every day, people around the world make the difficult decision to leave their countries in search of safety and better lives. Forced to flee their home because of war, violence or persecution, often without warning, these refugees leave behind family members and friends, and most of their belongings. Their hope of arriving safely is often dashed by experiences of trauma or torture at the other end
Curated By: Madhu Kapparath
Published: Jun 20, 2019
World Refugee Day: The search for a land of freedom

Image by : Federico Scoppa/AFP/Getty Images

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  • World Refugee Day: The search for a land of freedom
  • World Refugee Day: The search for a land of freedom
  • World Refugee Day: The search for a land of freedom
  • World Refugee Day: The search for a land of freedom
  • World Refugee Day: The search for a land of freedom
  • World Refugee Day: The search for a land of freedom
  • World Refugee Day: The search for a land of freedom
  • World Refugee Day: The search for a land of freedom
  • World Refugee Day: The search for a land of freedom
  • World Refugee Day: The search for a land of freedom
  • World Refugee Day: The search for a land of freedom
  • World Refugee Day: The search for a land of freedom
  • World Refugee Day: The search for a land of freedom
  • World Refugee Day: The search for a land of freedom
  • World Refugee Day: The search for a land of freedom
  • World Refugee Day: The search for a land of freedom
  • World Refugee Day: The search for a land of freedom

A migrant, part of a group of 47 including minors, watches from the deck of the Dutch-flagged rescue vessel Sea Watch 3 anchored off Syracuse, Sicily, while they await permission to land. Almost 22,000 migrants and refugees have arrived in the EU by sea since the beginning of the year, according to the most recent UNHCR figures. This has led to deterrence-based migration policy by countries such as Italy, France and Germany, ignoring the lives of migrants in distress at sea. It has also led to a comprehensive system of forced deportations to concentration camp-like detention facilities.