Who is a refugee?

The document outlines the definition of a refugee based on the 1951 Convention, detailing the responsibilities of host governments and the UNHCR. It explains the process of status determination, the rights refugees are entitled to—including safety, healthcare, and education—and the debate over whether those fleeing generalized war or non-state violence qualify for refugee status.

• A refugee is defined as an individual outside their country of nationality due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a specific social group, and who cannot or will not seek the protection of that country.
• While governments are primarily responsible for refugee protection and status determination, the UNHCR provides guidance, supervises the 1951 Convention, and may determine status in countries not party to international refugee instruments.
• There is a discrepancy between the 1951 Geneva Convention and the UNHCR's position regarding civilians fleeing war, famine, or ethnic violence; the UNHCR and the AU convention argue these individuals should be considered refugees if their state cannot protect them, despite some countries arguing that those fleeing generalized war or non-state groups should not receive formal status.
• Refugees are entitled to safe asylum and basic rights equivalent to other legal foreign residents, including freedom of movement, freedom from torture, and access to education, medical care, and employment.

APA

Institute for Security Studies (2005). Who is a refugee? https://issafrica.org/topics/conflict-prevention-and-analysis/01-sep-2005-a-place-to-call-home-forced-repatriation-of-refugees-in-rwanda-mariam-jooma

Chicago

Institute for Security Studies. Who is a refugee? 2005. https://issafrica.org/topics/conflict-prevention-and-analysis/01-sep-2005-a-place-to-call-home-forced-repatriation-of-refugees-in-rwanda-mariam-jooma.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Institute for Security Studies |title=Who is a refugee? |date=1 September 2005 |url=https://issafrica.org/topics/conflict-prevention-and-analysis/01-sep-2005-a-place-to-call-home-forced-repatriation-of-refugees-in-rwanda-mariam-jooma |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{instituteforsecuritystudies2005who, author = {{Institute for Security Studies}}, title = {{Who is a refugee?}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2005}, month = sep, url = {https://issafrica.org/topics/conflict-prevention-and-analysis/01-sep-2005-a-place-to-call-home-forced-repatriation-of-refugees-in-rwanda-mariam-jooma}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }