I know the trauma faced by refugees. Now I want businesses to ease the cruelty they endure from populist leaders
The US is pursuing aggressive policies that place the humanity of refugees last. It may be down to others to turn that tide
Ban Ki-moon
@indyvoices
October 15, 2019
The mass movement of people is a global phenomenon; one that is here to stay. A former refugee myself, as a child I experienced the trauma and wrenching displacement of fleeing my home during the Korean War. The human suffering I witnessed as I fled my burning village with my parents continued to haunt me in the days and years to come.
As secretary-general of the United Nations, I met so many children around the world, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, who reminded me of my own painful experiences. Seeing myself in each of them, I have remained determined to elevate the plight of refugees to the top of the global agenda today.
As part of The Elders, I know that unless we unite in the face of this global problem, refugees will continue to experience levels of marginalisation and exploitation in direct contravention of their human rights.
Categories: Africa, America, Americas, Asia, Europe, North Africa, United Nations, United States