Topic > International refugee protection - 784

Background According to a 2013 report published by the United Nations, the refugee crisis is at its worst level since 1994, with more than 15.4 million people displaced and made refugees by war and conflicts. The 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees defines a refugee as "any person who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside country of which he is a national and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country." International refugee protection depends, at a fundamental level, on refugees having freedom of movement to escape persecution. and seek asylum in other countries. However, there are few international laws regulating the treatment of refugees. Laws governing the treatment of refugees differ from country to country. However, many countries have become increasingly reluctant to welcome the growing influx of refugees, due to the pressure these refugees place on their resources. Even where refugees have been granted asylum, they have been the target of violent attacks and discrimination. Refugees often experience stigma, both because of their refugee status and because of the perception that refugees absorb important resources that could be diverted to locals. These refugees face an unsustainable situation: they are no longer guaranteed the protection of their country of origin and may not receive assistance from host countries due to a lack of resources within the country and stigma against them. This paper will focus on actions the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) could take to address the growing number of…paper problems…and removal of refugees from their territory, as Turkey has done by repatriating Kurds to the north of Iraq. Solution 2: Early warning systems If it is not feasible to create safe zones and thus reduce the number of refugees, then the best alternative is to ensure that, even if there is an excess of refugees, countries are ready to welcome them . The option CGI could consider would be to partner with the United Nations or direct resources toward funding an early warning system that maps conflicts around the world and their possible effects on refugee flights. Such a system would also estimate the impact of refugee flights on neighboring countries, allowing them ample time to prepare. The concept of an early warning system for refugee flows was recommended by the former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, but was never implemented..