Criteria for determining refugee status under the Geneva Refugee Convention of 1951

Abstract

The refugee convention, established 68 years ago to protect those who left their homes due to fear of persecution after events that occurred in Europe before 1951, is the first international instrument to provide a comprehensive refugee definition and the objective criteria for determining who is a refugee. The ongoing displacement crisis and the emergence of new groups among the displaced, such as environmental or food refugees, have urged a convention review regarding the refugee status determination and the extent to which these new groups are covered by the convention. This article analyzes the convention objective criteria for establishing the refugee status which entitles them to enjoy international protection.