19/06/2026
World Refugee Day Statement: Against Racism, Fascism, and Exclusion
Issued by the International Federation of Iraqi Refugees (IFIR)
On June 20, World Refugee Day, the IFIR stands with the millions worldwide protesting the rising tide of racism and fascism. While labour unions and human rights activists demand justice, many governments are moving in the opposite direction -institutionalizing exclusion and criminalizing the vulnerable.
The Shift Toward State Fascism in Europe
Racism is no longer just a fringe movement; it is being woven into official state policy.
· Sweden: Once a symbol of human rights, it is now dismantling legal protections, restricting family reunification, and creating a hostile environment for those fleeing war.
· The United Kingdom: Through the "Illegal Migration Act" and forced deportation plans, the UK is leading a race to the bottom, stripping refugees of basic rights and violating international obligations.
· Germany: Under right-wing pressure, Germany has shifted toward accelerated deportations and expanded detention powers, treating refugees as a political "problem" rather than human beings with dignity.
These policies do not protect citizens; they provide the legal framework for fascist movements to thrive.
Root Causes: Global War and Capitalist Crisis
The refugee crisis is the direct result of geopolitical rivalries. The power struggles between the USA, China, and Russia have destabilized entire regions, forcing millions to choose between displacement or death.
Refugees as Scapegoats
While the ruling class and military powers reap the profits of war, ordinary people pay the price through economic collapse and inflation. To distract from the failures of the capitalist system, the bourgeoisie uses refugees as scapegoats. By labeling refugees as a "burden" or "threat," they attempt to:
1. Divide the working class.
2. Divert public anger away from systemic corruption and inequality.
3. Erode the social achievements and rights won by workers through decades of struggle.
Our Call to Action
We call for a global struggle for an equal and free society. We must reject nationalist and chauvinistic ideologies that divide us. Refugees are not a "burden" - they are part of the global working class and survivors of the very wars and exploitation that the ruling elite promote.
Our Demands:
· No to Fascism: Whether it marches in the streets or hides behind "border control" laws.
· Equality Now: Refugees and immigrants must be treated as equal citizens with full social and legal rights.
· Stop Deportations: End all forced removals and the criminalization of migration.
· No to Artificial Borders: Human lives must take precedence over political boundaries.
The struggle for refugee rights is the struggle for human dignity. Our unity is stronger than their hatred.
International Federation of Iraqi Refugees (IFIR)
19 June, 2026
