Refugees

Refugees are people who have fled their country due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. They are outside their country of origin and unable or unwilling to seek protection there. Asylum-seekers are individuals who claim asylum and await a decision on their status. Internally displaced persons remain within their own country’s borders. The term encompasses those who have crossed or are unable to return to their home country due to danger and human rights abuses.

The international legal framework for refugees centers on the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. Core principles include non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to persecution, and the obligation of states to protect refugees and provide basic rights. Rights commonly extended to refugees include access to courts, basic education, work, public relief, identity documents, and freedom of movement, though the exact entitlements vary by country. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, coordinates protection and assistance, while international and non-governmental organizations support arrival, registration, and access to services.

Displacement is driven by armed conflict, persecution, violence, and increasingly environmental pressures. Refugees may experience protracted displacement, living in camps or urban settings for extended periods. Durable solutions include voluntary repatriation when safe, local integration in the host country, or resettlement to a third country. Policy choices, funding, and cooperation among states and aid groups shape access to protection, asylum procedures, and long-term prospects for refugees.

Global protection efforts involve governments, international bodies, and civil society working to safeguard safety, dignity, and opportunities for refugees, while addressing root causes and the needs of host communities.