Who is considered a refugee?

Who is considered a refugee?

A refugee is a person outside his or her country of nationality who is unable or unwilling to return to his or her country of nationality because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

Is the 1951 Refugee Convention legally binding?

The Refugee Convention was adopted at a United Nations conference on 28 July 1951 and became legally binding on 22 April 1954. It was originally designed to respond to the needs of European refugees in the years following World War II. The Protocol became legally binding on 4 October 1967.

What is the legal definition of a refugee under the 1951 UN Convention?

The 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. It defined a refugee as a person who faced persecution due to circumstances occurring before January 1, 1951, and allowed countries to limit the definition to circumstances that occurred only in Europe.

Who is not a refugee?

Becoming a refugee begins with requesting asylum while outside one’s own country. It is important to remember that an asylum seeker is not a refugee and might not become one. A person may enter a country with the intention of claiming asylum, either as an individual or as part of a large group fleeing violence.

At what point is someone no longer a refugee?

owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.

What rights do refugees have under Refugee Convention?

The Refugee Convention builds on Article 14 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes the right of persons to seek asylum from persecution in other countries. A refugee may enjoy rights and benefits in a state in addition to those provided for in the Convention.

Are there any laws that protect refugees?

The UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees,1951 Is the premier international law on refugee protection and is grounded on Art,14 UDHR: “Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.”

How can we solve refugee problems?

Here are five solutions we believe can work.

  1. Give them their rights: enforce international conventions.
  2. Share the responsibility: regional refugee compacts.
  3. Treat refugees like human beings: close detention centres.
  4. Allow them to participate: work rights for refugees.
  5. Let them in: open borders.