JRS Ireland calls for dignity in refugee protection at the UN

Eugene Quinn, National Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Ireland, spoke at a UNHCR Executive Committee side event, Protecting the Promise: Evidence, Narratives and the Future of Refugee Protection, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

The event brought together international humanitarian organisations, refugee advocates and government representatives to discuss the future of refugee protection, the impact of policy decisions and the importance of restoring public trust.

Speaking on behalf of JRS and the people it serves, Eugene emphasised the need to put human dignity at the heart of refugee protection. He reminded participants that behind the numbers, labels and legal categories are people with names, faces and individual stories of displacement.

In 2025, JRS Ireland accompanied and assisted 6,400 people seeking protection. Drawing on their experiences, Eugene highlighted the deterioration in reception conditions in Ireland, including people left without accommodation, families living in overcrowded rooms and asylum seekers sleeping in tents in difficult conditions.

He shared the words of one man who expressed a simple but profound wish: “Brother, all I want is to look up at night and not see the stars.”

Eugene also raised concerns about the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, particularly the use of accelerated procedures and whether applicants have sufficient time and access to legal advice to ensure their claims are considered fairly. He warned that increasingly restrictive policies risk overlooking the individual circumstances and vulnerabilities of people seeking protection.

His contribution also addressed the impact of negative public narratives, misinformation and growing hostility towards asylum seekers in Ireland. He stressed that public trust must be supported through clear communication and meaningful engagement with local communities, rather than allowing fear and misinformation to shape attitudes towards refugees.

Other speakers included David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, who delivered the opening video message; Mustafa Alio of Refugees Seeking Equal Access to the Table (R-SEAT), who moderated the discussion; Dr Hourie Tafech of Refugees International; Kaela Glass of the Norwegian Refugee Council; and Dr Ndaga Yvonne Endam of Endam Home of Hope, Nigeria.

Across the discussion, speakers emphasised the importance of refugee inclusion, sustained funding for protection and meaningful refugee participation in decisions affecting their lives.