Angelina Jolie urges equal rights for all refugees

Jolie visits Syrian refugees on Jordan’s border with Syria IN 2013 (Source: UNHCR)

Hollywood megastar and goodwill ambassador of United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Angelina Jolie on Thursday noted the staggering numbers of Ukrainian people who have been forced from their homes because of the Russian invasion. She compared the plight of Ukrainian refugees with the struggles of other global refugees.

Writing to her 12.4 million followers, the actress said, “1 million refugees have now fled Ukraine.”

“Before a single Ukrainian refugee crossed the border, there were already more than 82 million people forced from their homes globally - the highest number on record,” she added.

Jolie posted striking pictures of refugees from Ukraine, Venezuela, South Sudan, Myanmar, Syria and Afghanistan. “All refugees and displaced people deserve equal treatment and rights,” she said.

The actor, who was appointed the Special Envoy to the United Nations High Commissioner to Refugees in 2012, has been vocal about her take on the war in Ukraine. “Like many of you, I'm praying for the people in Ukraine,” she had posted late last month.

“My focus along with my (UNHCR) colleagues is that everything possible is done to ensure the protection and basic human rights of those displaced, and refugees in the region,” she had added.

Jolie also shared a statement of UNHCR about the fast-deteriorating situation in Ukraine. “'The humanitarian consequences on civilian populations will be devastating. There are no winners in war, but countless lives will be torn apart.

'We have already seen reports of casualties and people starting to flee their homes to seek safety. Civilian lives and civilian infrastructure must be protected and safeguarded at all times, in line with International Humanitarian Law.

'Accordingly, we have stepped up our operations and capacity in Ukraine and neighboring countries,' the statement added.

The UN ambassador often visits refugee camps to extend her support to the dislocated people. On the 5th anniversary of the Syrian conflict, Angelina Jolie visited Syrian refugees in Lebanon.