On the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights, the United Nations Agency Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) recalled 75 years of displacement for millions of Palestine refugees and their descendants.

“Many of them live without human rights protections in the absence of a just and lasting solution to their plight, to which they are entitled,” said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.

“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights remains as relevant as ever to Palestine refugees in its demand that human rights protections be extended to all, including the most vulnerable. Palestine refugees should not have to wait another 75 years to enjoy dignity, basic human rights and justice,” added Lazzarini.

Human Rights Day annually recognizes the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948.

UNRWA was established in 1949 to alleviate conditions of starvation and distress of this population following their displacement and dispossession as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict pending a just and durable solution to their plight.

There are currently 5.9 million Palestine refugees registered with UNRWA.