Definition Of Refugee Law
Respect for the rule of law and human rights forms the essence of the protection of refugees returnees and stateless persons.
Definition of refugee law. The office of the united nations high commissioner for refugees. Refugee law and legal definition a refugee is a person who is unable or unwilling to return to their country of nationality because of persecution or a well founded fear of persecution on account of race religion nationality politcal opinions or membership in a particular group. Mass admittance of refugees pursuant to the president s parole authority was not permitted but the president was allowed to admit refugees over the 50 000 annual limit with congressional consultation. The 1951 refugee convention is a key legal document and defines a refugee as.
1525 raised the number of annual immigrants permitted from 290 000 to 320 000 of which 50 000 could be refugees. It is related to but distinct from international human rights law and international humanitarian law which deal respectively with human rights in general and the conduct of war in particular. Irl provides a specific definition of refugee safeguards the right to seek asylum and protects against being forcibly returned to a country where one would face persecution non refoulement. The refugee act of 1980 8 u s c a.
The un high commission for refugees unhcr is mandated by the un general assembly to provide international protection to refugees and seek permanent solutions to their plight. There are differences of opinion among international law scholars as to the relationship between refugee law and international human rights law or humanitarian law. Someone who is unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race religion nationality membership of a particular social group or political opinion. Refugees are defined and protected in international law.
Refugee law is the branch of international law which deals with the rights and duties states have vis a vis refugees.