Refugee Law and Policy
- Adyasha Kar
- June 14, 2020
Content :
The refugee crisis is one of the worst threats to human security. As per the estimation of the United Nations High Commission, as of 2019 more than 70 million people have been displaced worldwide owing to persecution. Comprehensive refugee law and policy plays a pivotal role in improving the condition of refugees and to make sure that they get justice and their basic rights are upheld. This paper gives an overview of various international instruments that have carved refugee law and policy while understanding the fundamental principle of refoulment of refugee law.
Various issues of varying nature surround the refugee crisis. At the heart of the crisis, a sense of xenophobia and protectionism amplifies the problem. Consequently, empathy for stateless persons is hardly retained. The three case studies discussed in the paper represent the practical scenario of domestic refugee policies. The first case study brings out the issue of protectionism which is the driving force behind Australia\'s \'turning back the boat policy\', the second study of the Rohingya Muslims present how concerns of national security direct the policies adopted by States and the third case study shows how racism and public resentment acts as an impediment to an open refugee policy but only after assessing Canada\'s systematic approach to facilitate resettlement and integration of refugees. Lastly, the paper discusses the link between refugee rights and human rights.
After comparing the theoretical aspects of refugee law with the practical realities of the refugee policies adopted by various nations, this paper endeavors to suggest plausible solutions to the refugee crisis.
