3. International protection of refugees

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) sets out everyone’s basic human rights. Article 14(1) states that

"Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution"

However, this general right to seek and to enjoy asylum does not constitute an individual right to be granted asylum; states have consistently shown great reluctance to agree international instruments that would impose duties on them to grant asylum.

International legal instruments have been drawn up that protect the rights of refugees and lay down minimum rights to which refugees are entitled. The 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees guarantees minimum standards for refugees within their country of asylum and aims to ensure that refugees are treated in the same way in all states which are party to the UN Refugee Convention.

11.7 million refugees in 2000

In addition to this treaty, other international legal instruments deal with asylum and refugees. These are the resolutions and declarations of the General Assembly and other bodies of the United Nations. The binding force of these resolutions and declarations depends on their nature. Of particular relevance for asylum and refugees is the Statute of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The resolution adopting this Statute is considered to be binding all Member States of the UN.

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The Rights of Refugees and Displaced Persons

Table source: Refugees by Numbers, 2000 Edition