REFUGEE ASYLUM-SEEKER
someone who has left
his or her country of
origin and is unable or
unwilling to return there
because of a serious
threat to his or her life or
freedom. The
international legal
definition of the term is
contained in the 1951
Convention. (For more
on the refugee definition
see Chapter 6.4).
Refugees are entitled to
protection from forcible
return to their country
of origin (the principle
of non-refoulement) and
have other rights and
duties that are set out in
the 1951 Convention.
MIGRANT STATELESS PERSON
general designation for someone who chooses A person who is not
someone who is seeking to move, not because of considered as a national
international protection. a direct threat to life or by any State, under the
In some countries it is a freedom, but in order to operation of its law,
legal term referring to a find work, for education, either because he or she
person who has applied family reunion, or other never had a nationality
for refugee status and personal reasons. Unlike or because he or she lost
has not yet received a refugees, migrants do it without acquiring a
final decision on his or not have a fear of new one.
her claim. Not every persecution or serious
asylum-seeker will harm in their home
ultimately be recognized countries. Migrants
as a refugee. However, continue to enjoy the
an asylum-seeker should protection of their own
not be sent back to his or governments even when
her country of origin abroad and can return
until the asylum claim home.
has been examined in a
fair procedure.