Refugee Law - Definition and Overview

Refugee Law is the branch of International Law which deals with the rights and protection of refugees. It is related to, but distinct from, International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law, which deal respectively with human rights in general, and the conduct of war in particular.

Sources of Refugee Law

Refugee Law encompasses both customary law, peremptory norms, and international legal instruments. These include:

• The 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees;
• The 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees;
• The 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa.

See Also

• International Law
• International Human Rights Law
• International Humanitarian Law
• Convention relating to the Status of Refugees