Globally, several people have to face the decision to leave their homes’ comforts to start a new life. Now, this decision can be based on multiple circumstances. Some people do it willingly, while others are forced. Human rights violations are a major reason why people flee from their residencies. In some cases, they even leave their countries

They flee with the hope of finding shelter or a better quality of life, but the procedure can be filled with danger and horrors. The victims can be targeted for just being who they are. On the darker side, some people become targets of human trafficking, while some are killed on the spot.

Which People are Classified as Refugees?

When an individual moves out of his home or country, he can be categorized as a refugee, an asylum seeker, or a migrant.

The words migrants and refugees are often used together but are distinct. There is a unique difference among these three terms, and it is important to learn them.

Refugee

These people can claim the right of international protection. Any human being at a severe risk of exploitation or violation and, as a result, has to leave the safety of his/her home is termed as a refugee. They face death threats or are often imprisoned for no significant reason, so they move to another country. Their governments usually fail to protect them, and the danger remains growing.

Migrants

People seeking better opportunities and migrating to another country are considered migrants. They move out from their country of origin not to seek refuge or asylum but rather for studies, jobs, or family purposes.

Even if migrants are not classified as asylum seekers or refugees, they still have all the human rights their new country has to protect. Regardless of their status, migrants cannot be forced into labor or detained without a legal reason. They cannot be compelled to return to their origin country either.

For some negative reasons like feeling unsafe in their hometowns or for political unrest, people might migrate willingly. Migrants are not legally classified as refugees, but in some cases, they might be in danger if they return to their motherland.

Asylum Seeker

In simple terms, asylum seekers have not yet been classified as refugees. They leave their country and seek asylum from improvement and torture in other countries. Every human has a right to seek asylum, but they must wait for a decision on their asylum claim.

Why Countries Need to Welcome Refugees

Firstly, the evil in this world keeps growing, so several people have to flee their homes, and it is their right to be welcomed in another country. Giving refugees their rights will only partake in global stability. So, when welcomed in a new country, they can build their lives from scratch.

This benefits the refugees and gives the host country new energy to enhance the quality of life for all citizens, as more employment will only do better for its economy.

Refugees bring new power and ideas with them, which works to stabilize the host community economically. History proves that the most famous artists, philosophers, and influential people have been migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

What Does The Law Say About Refugees and Their Rights

Despite how they enter a country or why they need protection, the rights of refugees are protected by international law. Several distinct articles deal with the rights of refugees.

• 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention declares that no refugee will be sent back to their country of origin without any legitimate reason.
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights has article 14 that declares that every human being has the right to seek refuge from torture and imprisonment in other countries.
• 1969 OAU Convention, the 1984 Cartagena Declaration, the Common European Asylum System, and the Dublin Regulation are all laws and agreements that address refugee rights.

Fair treatment of refugees

Like any human, refugees deserve to be treated fairly. Just because they are in a helpless situation does not mean people can take advantage of their condition.

Several documents adopted by the United Nations have declared that they have the right to be treated fairly.

In their new home, they might face challenges while proving their identity, and peopl might judge them. But discrimination against them is very immoral and should not be allowed. International law has given refugees proper identity and fair treatment owing to their miserable situation.

Protection Against Forced Return

Refoulementing or sending refugees back to where they came from is the worst thing a country can do to the victims. The first measure that any host community has to take is to ensure that victims are protected and can stay for as long as they have to without being threatened with being sent back.

This rule basically ensures that countries act like a community where people look out for each other. This lays the foundation for freedom and peace. Regarding law, Article 7 of the ICCPR prevents the return of people to other countries where they might be tortured and enslaved.

Refugees are always at high risk of being killed or trafficked, so such rights need to be in place.

Right to Privacy and Security

Refugees are the most endangered group of people who are both miserable and traumatized. This is why they need security and privacy. Living in banishment can also be life-threatening for them, just like in their own country. Just because they fled from their hometown does not mean they can be disregarded and exploited. Governments must take proper measures to ensure citizens do not kill refugees. The 1993 Vienna Declaration links human rights violations to refugee concerns and highlights the responsibility to hold people accountable.

Refugees can remain in the host country

The UN Sub-commission has stressed the significance of the ‘right not to be refugees,’ which means that human beings deserve to live peacefully in their homes. It is important to protect people who have left their residencies to seek help. No matter how vulnerable the condition is, refugees will always need the most help.

As the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadako Ogata has also made efforts to deal with the reason people become refugees. This phenomenon is also called preventive protection and is dedicated to dealing with the root cause of exile.

The developed countries are much better at handling the situations. However, people flee to any country regardless of its status. Major organizations come forward to offer a helping hand and provide basic shelter so that refugees can remain in the host count

Bottom Line on Refugee Rights

There needs to be a useful set of rules and laws that protect refugees. Since this is a growing problem in underdeveloped countries, political leaders must take measures to maintain peace.

Refugees face many challenges when seeking shelter and safety. Sometimes, the host communities subject them to verbal and physical hatred. Nevertheless, it is

immoral and inhumane to take advantage of such a vulnerable situation and make their lives even more miserable.

Taking care of the root cause behind the refugee issue will only serve to enhance global stability. Only powerful leaders and organizations like the United Nations have to come forward and take action.