Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel (2005-2021) urged world leaders on Monday not to return people to countries where they are at risk of being persecuted, after receiving the Nansen Prize for refugees from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). .
Angela Merkel, honored for her determination to welcome people displaced by conflict while in office, stressed that “the rights of refugees must be respected.”
“No refugee should be returned to their country if they are at risk of being persecuted,” he declared during an act in Geneva (Switzerland).
The migration crisis, “a humanitarian imperative”
UNHCR’s selection committee praised Angela Merkel for “her leadership, courage and compassion” as Germany took in more than 1.2 million refugees and asylum seekers in 2015 and 2016, at the height of Europe’s migration crisis. , triggered in particular by the war in Syria.
At the time, Angela Merkel, who led Germany for 16 years, considered the situation “a test for our European values like few times before”, pointing to “a humanitarian imperative”.
Presenting him with the Nansen Medal, UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi said he had shown “vision, courage and strength”.
More than 100 million forcibly displaced this year
When the number of forcibly displaced people exceeded 100 million for the first time this year, Filippo Grandi told Angela Merkel: “Your example is and must be an example for other leaders.”
Accepting the award in front of a crowd of some 500 people, the former chancellor acknowledged that Germany had faced “enormous challenges” when so many refugees arrived.
Accepting her gold medal, Angela Merkel asked that the accompanying $150,000 (€155,000) prize be split among four other prominent regional winners, who have each already received $50,000 (€51,500) each.
Source: BFM TV
