asile

Asile is a term used mainly in French to denote shelter, sanctuary, or protection from persecution. In historical and institutional contexts, asile can also refer to a psychiatric facility, though many countries now use terms such as psychiatric hospital or mental health facility. In English-language usage, the cognate term is asylum; asile is the French form and is not commonly used in English-language contexts.

In international law, asylum refers to protection granted by a state to a person who has fled persecution or serious harm in their homeland. Individuals seeking such protection are called asylum-seekers; if protection is granted, they may be recognized as refugees under the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. The principle of non-refoulement prohibits returning someone to persecution or danger.

Claims are examined by national authorities according to criteria that can include race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Some jurisdictions also provide subsidiary protection for those at risk of serious harm not meeting the refugee definition. Procedures vary by country and may include interviews, documentation checks, and appeals; outcomes can be asylum granted, asylum refused, or temporary protection.

Historically, sanctuary has roots in ancient and medieval practices, while modern asylum regimes crystallized in the 20th century amid mass displacement and the development of international human rights law. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) plays a key role in promoting international protection standards and supporting states in implementing asylum systems.

See also: Refugee, asylum seeker, non-refoulement, sanctuary, psychiatric hospital.