Refugee

A refugee is a person who has left their home and is outside their country of citizenship due to a fear of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political views, or membership in a particular social group.

Etymology

The term "refugee" originates from the Hebrew word, which appears several times in the Bible. In the Book of Kings, it refers to individuals who have been displaced and are seeking protection. The concept of refuge is also mentioned in other biblical texts, such as Jeremiah, Amos, and Darkness.

Definition

According to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951, a refugee is defined as:

* A person outside their country of nationality or habitual residence
* Who fears persecution due to their community affiliation, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinions
* Who cannot or does not want to claim protection from that country or return there due to such fear

Individuals seeking refugee status are referred to as asylum seekers. Asylum applications in industrialized countries are often based on political and religious criteria.

Statistics

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that there were 16.1 million refugees worldwide in 2015, representing a 60% increase from the previous decade.

Protection and Assistance

The UNHCR aims to defend the rights and security of refugees and asylum seekers. The organization provides protection, assistance, and solutions for refugees around the world.

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