Protecting Refugees & The Role of UNHCR

These flashcards cover essential terminology and concepts relating to the protection of refugees and the role of UNHCR as explored in the lecture notes on refugees.

Refugee

A person who is outside their country of nationality and unable or unwilling to return due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, social group, or political opinion.

UNHCR

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, established in 1950 to protect and assist refugees and others of concern.

Asylum-seeker

A person who claims to be a refugee but whose claim has not yet been definitively assessed.

Internally Displaced Person (IDP)

A person who has been forced to flee their home but remains within the borders of their own country.

Stateless Person

An individual who is not considered a national by any state under the operation of its law.

Voluntary Repatriation

The return of refugees to their country of origin as soon as it is safe for them to do so.

Mixed Migration

Movements of people that include refugees, asylum-seekers, and migrants, often utilizing the same routes and means of transport.

Prima Facie Refugee

A person who is recognized as a refugee based on their presence in a country without individual assessment due to circumstances such as mass movements caused by conflict.

Mixed Migration Patterns

Complex movements involving refugees and migrants that present challenges for determining individual legal statuses.

1951 Refugee Convention

A key international treaty that defines who a refugee is and outlines the rights of individuals who are granted asylum.

Durable Solutions

Long-term options for refugees which may include voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement in a third country.

Temporary Protection

An emergency measure that allows for the rapid admission of large numbers of people seeking safety, typically without guarantees of permanent residency.

Protection and Assistance Needs

The requirements for safety, rights, and supports that displaced individuals may have as recognized by organizations like UNHCR.

Returnee

An individual who has been of concern to UNHCR while outside their country of origin and remains so for a limited time after return.

Cluster Approach

An inter-agency coordination system designed to improve the response to humanitarian emergencies, particularly for IDPs.