India has signed neither the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention nor its 1967 Protocol, which has 140 signatories, an overwhelming majority of the world’s 190-odd nations. However, India continues to host a large population of refugees.
It is a United Nations multilateral treaty that defines who is a refugee, and sets out the rights of individuals who are granted asylum and the responsibilities of nations that grant asylum.
- The Convention also sets out which people do not qualify as refugees. e.g War criminals.
- It also provides for some visa-free travel for holders of travel documents issued under the convention.
- It builds on Article 14 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes the right of persons to seek asylum from persecution in other countries.
- The core principle is non-refoulement, which asserts that a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.
- The 1967 Protocol broadens the applicability of the Convention.
- The Protocol removes the geographical and time limits that were part of the 1951 Convention.
- UNHCR serves as the guardian of the 1951 Convention and its 1967 Protocol.
- The USA and Venezuela are parties only to the Protocol.
- Countries that have ratified the Refugee Convention are obliged to protect refugees that are on their territory, in accordance with its terms.
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