UNITED just published the 2025 List of Refugee Deaths
documenting 66.519 migrant deaths
As we release the 2025 edition of the UNITED List of Refugee Deaths, we once again reflect on the scale of this ongoing, man-made tragedy.
Over 66.519 lives have been lost since 1993 — cut short by violent borders, racist policies, and inhumane migration systems.
We know these numbers can never capture the full truth. Many deaths remain undocumented. But we continue to compile every case we can—honouring each life, investigating the circumstances, and exposing the role of state actors where relevant.
In recent years, Europe’s externalisation of border control—paying North African regimes to block migration routes—has meant that many refugees no longer even reach the Mediterranean.
They die in the desert after brutal pushbacks, or inside violent detention camps in Libya, far from European shores and public attention—but as a direct result of EU policies.
As every year, this updated list is published ahead of World Refugee Day (June 20). It will be used across Europe in public readings, demonstrations, exhibitions, and art interventions—like #BeimNamenNennen in Switzerland and Germany.
If you’d like to use the list in your action, download the 2025 pdf edition from our website (UnitedAgainstRefugeeDeaths.eu) and check the conditions of use.
We can also send you this file in xls format in case you need to print the list in another format. For research purposes we can also share the full export of all data in a searchable xls. Please contact us by email.
How can you support the campaign:
This list is not produced by a government or institution. It’s the result of decades of committed work by the independent NGO UNITED for Intercultural Action — documenting refugee deaths since 1993, when almost no one else would.
To keep this vital work going—year after year, name by name—we need your support.
Even a small monthly donation helps us continue to research, publish, and make these deaths visible also in future.
And motivates our team !
* Donate:
PayPal: bit.ly/Donate-List
Larger donations can also be sent by bank to
Stichting UNITED
ING Bank NL
IBAN: NL28INGB0002343715
BIC/SWIFT-code: INGBNL2A
* Please follow Instagram instagram.com/unitedlistofdeath where we create a virtual museum of art and actions with the list. to help the outreach of our message: No More Deaths !
* Share announcements and pictures of your events where our list is used
* Forward information about border deaths. Our research depends on information. News in any language is greatly appreciated.
* Volunteer for our campaign: We are seeking volunteers for translation, research, website design, social media, and fundraising. Volunteers can work remotely or from our Amsterdam office. If interested, or if you know someone who might be, please email us at [email protected]
Best regards
Geert Ates
CONTACT
UNITED for Intercultural Action - European network against nationalism, racism, fascism and in support of migrants and refugees
Campaign secretariat Fatal Policies of Fortress Europe
Postbus 413 • NL-1000 AK Amsterdam • Netherlands
contact person:
Geert Ates (campaign coordinator / Director UNITED Amsterdam office) +31-6-48808808
[email protected]
UnitedAgainstRefugeeDeaths.eu
unitedfia.org
instagram.com/unitedlistofdeath
We send updates on our campaign once or twice a year to those who have collaborated with us, used the UNITED List of Refugee Deaths, or referenced our work.
