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Ciné-ONU: Lost Land and the Universal Right to Seek Safety

On the occasion of World Refugee Day, the EU Delegation in Geneva co-sponsored, together with the United Nations Office at Geneva, the Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN, and the Geneva Welcome Centre CAGI, a Ciné-ONU screening of Lost Land (Harà Watan). The event invited to an evening of reflection and dialogue on displacement, protection, and universal human rights.

CineONU: Lost Land
© EU Delegation, 2026

 

Lost Land tells the story of four-year-old Shafi and his sister Somira, two Rohingya refugee children who embark on a perilous journey from a refugee camp in Bangladesh to Malaysia in the hope of reuniting with their family. The film offers a moving portrayal of displacement, uncertainty, and resilience, while reminding its audience of the human stories behind global refugee statistics.

Following the screening, participants engaged in a discussion on the theme “The Right to Seek Safety: Common Protection for Us All”, featuring Pia Oberoi, Chief of the Right to Development Section at OHCHR, and Madeline Garlick, Chief of Protection Policy and Legal Advice at the UNHCR.

 

CineONU: Lost Land

EU Delegation, 2026

The film is particularly remarkable for its authenticity. Produced in the Rohingya language and featuring more than 200 Rohingya participants, many of whom have themselves experienced displacement and exile, Lost Land gives voice to a community whose experiences are often overlooked. As of today, more than 120 million people around the world have been forcibly displaced by conflict, persecution, violence, and human rights violations.

Against this backdrop, the European Union remains committed to supporting refugees, and displaced populations. Together with its Member States, the EU is among the world's leading humanitarian donors, providing life-saving assistance, protection, education, and opportunities for people affected by displacement. The EU also works closely with its international partners, including UNHCR, to uphold international protection standards and address both immediate humanitarian needs and longer-term solutions.

Through initiatives such as Ciné-ONU, the EU Delegation seeks to foster dialogue on global challenges and create spaces where culture, storytelling, and policy discussions can come together. Lost Land served as a reminder that safeguarding human dignity, protection, and fundamental rights must remain at the heart of the international response to forced displacement.