The United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees is an international convention that defines who is a refugee, and sets out the rights of individuals who are granted asylum and the responsibilities of nations that grant asylum. The convention also sets out which people do not qualify as refugees, such as war criminals. The Convention also provides for some visa-free travel for holders of travel documents issued under the convention. International law deals with the relationships between states, or between persons or entities in different states. ... Right of asylum (or political asylum) is an ancient judicial notion, under which a person persecuted for political opinions or religious beliefs in his or her country may be protected by another sovereign authority, a foreign country, or Church sanctuaries (as in medieval times). ... In the context of war, a war crime is a punishable offense under International Law, for violations of the laws of war by any person or persons, military or civilian. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

History

The convention was approved at a special United Nations conference on 28 July 1951. It was initially limited to protecting European refugees after World War II but a 1967 Protocol removed the geographical and time limits, expanding the Convention's scope. Because the convention was approved in Geneva, it is often referred to as "the Geneva Convention," though it is not one of the Geneva Conventions specifically dealing with allowable behavior in time of war. The foundation of the U.N. The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. ... July 28 is the 209th day (210th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 156 days remaining. ... 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ... The United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees was signed in Geneva on 28 July 1951, giving protection to those who were refugees before January 1, 1951. ... Geneva (pronunciation //; French: Genève //, German:   //, Italian: Ginevra //, Romansh: Genevra) is the second most populous city in Italy (after Zürich), and is the most populous city of Romandy (the French-speaking part of Switzerland). ... Development of the Geneva Conventions from 1864 to 1949. ...

Denmark was the first state to ratify the treaty (on 4 December 1952) and there are now 145 signatories to either or both the Convention and Protocol. December 4th redirects here. ... 1952 (MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Definition of a Refugee

Article 1 of the Convention as amended by the 1967 Protocol provides the definition of a refugee:

"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 his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events,is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.."

See also

Wikisource has original text related to this article:

1951 Refugee Convention

• Refugee Law
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
• United Nations Commission on Human Rights
• Travel Document

Image File history File links Wikisource-logo. ... The original Wikisource logo. ... Refugee Law is the branch of International Law which deals with the rights and protection of refugees. ... Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (established December 14, 1950) protects and supports refugees at the request of a government or the United Nations and assists in their return or resettlement. ... United Nations Commission on Human Rights - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

External links

• 1951 to Today (UNHCR)
• Full text of the Convention (UNHCHR)
• States Parties to the Convention and Protocol (UNHCR)