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The 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, often referred to as the Geneva Convention or the Convention, is a foundational international treaty that defines who a refugee is, outlines their rights, and sets out the legal obligations of states to protect refugees. It was drafted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and was adopted on July 28, 1951, and entered into force on April 22, 1954.

The Convention defines a refugee as a person who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of their nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country. It also applies to stateless persons who face similar risks.

Key provisions of the Convention include the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits states from returning refugees to territories where their lives or freedom would be threatened. It also grants refugees a range of rights, including access to employment, education, public relief and assistance, and freedom of religion. Contracting states are obligated to cooperate with UNHCR in ensuring the observance of the Convention's provisions. While the original Convention was limited in scope to events occurring before January 1, 1951, the 1967 Protocol removed this temporal and geographical limitation, making the Convention universally applicable.