Cate Blanchett and Angelina Jolie call for refugee protections as UN convention turns 75

On Tuesday, a group that includes Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie, and Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally came together to back a UN initiative aimed at enhancing protections for refugees, marking the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention. With governments tightening border measures in response to a surge in displacement from global conflicts, the UNHCR is facing a budget deficit. They released a statement titled "The Promise," which has garnered support from celebrities, athletes, and leaders, including Ben Stiller, Michelle Yeoh, Cynthia Erivo, Riz Ahmed, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and basketball player Wenyen Gabriel. High Commissioner Barham Salih, who is also a former Iraqi president and refugee, underscored the convention's relevance, while Gabriel shared his experience as a Sudanese refugee, emphasizing that refugees succeed when given chances.