Independent Declaration on the Right to Participate

An Independent Declaration on the Right to Participate

Driven by affected communities, co-led by the Kaldor Centre’s Dr Tristan Harley, a new draft declaration aims to ensure displaced people can influence decisions that shape their lives.

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On World Refugee Day 2025, a global group of refugee experts and allies released for consultation a landmark document designed to ensure that refugee participation goes beyond gestures.

The draft Independent Declaration on the Right of Refugees and Others Experiencing Displacement or Statelessness to Participate in Decisions that Affect Them aims to address a critical gap in international law and policy.

It was developed over 18 months by an international working group of refugee experts, academics, humanitarians and international lawyers committed to advancing meaningful refugee participation in decisions that affect their futures.

The draft Independent Declaration complements and reinforces commitments that governments and others have made to advance participation in recent years, including through the Global Compact on Refugees and pledges made at the United Nations Global Refugee Forum.

Aiming to provide legal clarity, this Independent Declaration offers practical guidance on how States, UNHCR and other authorities must engage displaced and stateless people in decisions that shape their futures.

Now the working group behind the declaration is seeking engagement from refugee communities, civil society, governments and others. Their hope is that this initiative will become co-owned by many more stakeholders around the world.

‘This is a crucial step forward,’ said Kaldor Centre Senior Research Associate Dr Tristan Harley. ‘Input from the public consultation phase will help shape the final version of the Independent Declaration.’

During the public consultation process, the working group will be facilitating online discussions (the first is scheduled for ) and accepting feedback by email��ǰ�� until 20 August 2025.

The process is designed to prioritise transparency, inclusivity and co-creation, to ensure the Independent Declaration reflects diverse perspectives and expertise, especially from people with lived experiences.

The aim is to release the final version of the Independent Declaration and begin a formal endorsement process later in 2025.

The group hopes this initiative will grow in support and result in much-needed change to the way that decision-making systems work in the lives of refugees and others experiencing forced displacement or statelessness.

► Read the Draft Declaration, or get the full context in the Draft Independent Declaration with commentary.

► one of the global virtual consultations.

► Send your thoughts or questions by email or via this until 20 August.