1951 Refugee Convention

The 1951 Refugee Convention is a key international treaty that defines who qualifies as a refugee and outlines the rights of refugees and the legal obligations of countries to protect them. It addresses the situation of individuals fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Countries that are party to the Convention agree not to return refugees to places where their lives or freedoms would be threatened, and they commit to ensuring refugees have access to various rights, such as work, education, and social services.