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 : Simona Granati - Corbis//Getty Images

8/17
  • 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

Migrants and locals are invited to partake of a meal on a 270-meter long table in front of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The initiative, called ‘Italian Dinner without Walls’ is intended to send out a message of solidarity and inclusion to the nation. Italy’s populist government has repeatedly declared Italian waters closed to NGO rescue vessels. As a result, several boats have been left stranded at sea, with many migrants dead as they attempt to reach Italy from Libya. Since mid-2017, the number of migrant journeys has declined dramatically because Italy has engaged Libyan forces to stop migrants from setting off or to return them to Libya if found at sea—a policy condemned by human rights organisations.