What defines a Refugee?
The United Nations High Comissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) determines refugee status.
UNHCR is mandated by the United Nations to lead and coordinate international action for the worldwide protection of refugees and the resolution of refugee problems.
UNHCR's primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-bing of refugees. UNHCR strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state, and to return home voluntarily.
Definition of "refugee" (according to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees):
"A refugee is a person 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 to, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country."
next step | |