Declaring June 20 as National Refugee Day

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PROCLAMATION NO. 265: Declaring June 20 as National Refugee Day

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Title Source: Supreme Court: Declaring June 20 as National Refugee Day

Law: Proclamation No. 265

Decision Date: Jun 20, 2023

Proclamation No. 265 designates June 20 as the National Refugee Day in the Philippines, aiming to protect and uphold the rights of refugees, stateless persons, and asylum seekers, while increasing awareness and encouraging the active participation of various stakeholders in their welfare.

Law Summary

Institutional Framework for Refugee Protection

Executive Order No. 163 (s. 2022) creates an Inter-Agency Committee to coordinate protection services.
Ensures policies and assistance for refugees, stateless persons, and asylum seekers comply with Philippine laws and regulations.

Inclusion in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028

Strategic focus on protecting persons of concern continuously.
Emphasis on sustainable and durable solutions tailored to needs arising from violence and conflicts.
Introduction of anticipatory programs addressing these challenges.

International Commitments

The Philippines is a State Party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol.
Also a party to the 1964 Stateless Persons Convention and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
These ratifications obligate the Philippines to protect refugees, stateless persons, and asylum seekers in accordance with international standards.

Recognition of World Refugee Day and its Significance

United Nations designates June 20 annually as World Refugee Day.
Purpose is to honor refugees who have fled war, violence, and persecution.
Highlights risks of statelessness faced by displaced persons.

Rationale for Establishing National Refugee Day

With over 100 million forcibly displaced persons globally and approximately 264,000 persons of concern in the Philippines.
Acknowledges the need for a national day to raise awareness, protect rights, and recognize vulnerabilities of refugees and stateless persons.

Declaration and Implementation of National Refugee Day

Proclamation declares June 20 every year as National Refugee Day.
Mandates all government agencies, government corporations, state universities and colleges to actively participate.
Encourages local government units, NGOs, civil society, UN agencies, and the private sector to support and assist in the observance.
Aims for effective implementation through collective effort.

Legal Authority and Formalization

Signed by the President of the Philippines under constitutional and legal powers.
Official seal affixed, formalizing the proclamation as an official governmental policy.

END