seeking asylum in Europe. Refugees have faced hostility from nationalist groups, despite

having a number of international protections. So what rights do refugees have?

First, it’s important to clarify who falls into this category. Refugees and asylum seekers,

are those who have been displaced from their home countries due to unforeseeable circumstances

like war or cultural persecution. The term refugee is simply another name for asylum

seekers whose asylum application has been approved. Additionally, the term “migrant”

applies to all those travelling between countries, including economic refugees.

Fortunately for refugees, the United Nations defines a number of rights to protect and

care for vulnerable migrants. Those rights were outlined in the UN’s 1951 refugee convention,

which was originally created to help Europe cope with millions of stateless people following

World War 2.

According to the convention, if a displaced person faces persecution on the basis of their

beliefs or identity, they are legally allowed to enter a foreign country to ask for asylum.

Additionally, this host country is not allowed to send them back to their home state if their

“life or freedom would be threatened.” These situations are often the result of war

or genocide, which displace large numbers of people; however, unrelated events like

natural disasters or generalized violence do not usually qualify victims for refugee status.

But the law doesn’t stop at protecting a refugee’s life; the United Nations also

mandates that countries must respect a refugee’s well-being.

Refugees have the right to access the courts, to primary education, to work, and to obtain

identity cards. Countries are also encouraged to provide refugees with other welfare services,

and to ensure the unity of a refugee’s family. Nearly all services available to legal immigrants

are also available to refugees. In the US, they are eligible for Social Security,

Food Stamps, Medicare, Section 8 public housing, and many more aid programs. Across Europe,

the extent of refugee aid varies widely, but many have automatic access to financial aid

and shelter. In the UK, if you are recognized as a refugee, you will be entitled to the

same social and economic rights as UK citizens’.

However, refugees arriving in Europe are constricted by the Dublin Regulation, which states that

asylum seekers must apply for asylum in the first country of arrival. This is generally

to prevent them from sending out multiple applications, and to ensure their claim is

dealt with quickly in one country at a time. However, in August 2015, Germany lifted this

restriction on their end, allowing in any Syrian refugees.

While refugees may be temporarily stateless and helpless, the international community

has made it clear that they must be given legitimate opportunities to survive in the

face of persecution. Although critics have voiced concerns that the incoming wave of

migrants threatens their country or way of life, there are few arguments to be made against

assisting those who are actively in danger. In fact, some sources say that incoming refugees

can have major, long-term benefits in innovation and business for host countries. While there

are some questions as to how European countries will deal with the flood of asylum seekers,

there is no question as to the validity of their rights.

We’ve talked about the rights of refugees, but what about the right to asylum? How does

that work? Get the tidbits by watching this video.

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