Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will deliver remarks at an event commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Refugee Convention on April 6, 2011, at approximately 10:00 a.m. in the Benjamin Franklin Room at the Department of State.

2011 marks the 60th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Related to the Status of Refugees, the international document that defines the rights of refugees and the legal obligation of States to protect them. To commemorate this anniversary, the Secretary will give remarks at a public event titled “Rescue and Refuge: Tribute to Persons of Courage.” The event, hosted by the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, will pay tribute to six individuals from around the world and from different historical periods who, often at great personal risk, stepped forward to rescue persons in imminent danger of gross human rights abuses.

Following Secretary Clinton’s remarks, Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero, Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees, and Migration Eric Schwartz, and UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Alex Aleinkoff will also deliver remarks. A digital video conference will connect event participants with the U.S. Embassies in Rwanda, Senegal and Bosnia and Herzegovina – the countries of origin of three of the rescuers – which will be hosting parallel events that will commemorate the honorees from each country.

The event is open to credentialed members of the media.

Pre-set time for video cameras: 9:00 a.m. from the 23rd Street Entrance Lobby.

Final access time for journalists and still photographers: 9:30 a.m. from the 23rd Street Entrance Lobby.

PRESS CONTACTS:

Beth Schlachter, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, U.S. Department of State

(202) 453-9367

Office of Press Relations, U.S. Department of State

(202) 647-2492

Media representatives may attend this event upon presentation of one of the following: (1) a U.S. Government-issued identification card (Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense, or Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification (driver’s license or passport). Those who do not have a State Department building pass should allow adequate time to clear through security at the 23rd Street entrance.