Refugees Flashcards
Define people movement.
‘People movement’ refers to people moving across international borders. People who move can be classified differently based on reasons why they are moving, and on whether or not they have permission from the country to which they want to go to physically enter their borders.
Which two factors affect how people moving from country to country can be classified?
-Whether or not they have permission to move
-Reasons why they move
Define refugee.
A person who is outside their home country because they have suffered or feared persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular group or political opinion. Refugees are also known as stateless people because they can no longer rely on their government to protect them. Refugees who remain in their country of origin are called {Internally Displaced People} (IDPs)
What are the five reasons of persecution?
-race
-religion
-nationality
-membership of a particular group
-political opinion
What is persecution?
Persecution is the deliberate targeting of a specific type of person, based on their inherent characteristics.
Define Asylum Seeker.
An asylum seeker is someone who says they are a refugee, but whose refugee claim has not yet been processed by the country they have sought asylum. In order to be classified as a refugee, someone must claim asylum in another country by visiting a consulate or entering a country and officially requesting protection from the government. It is up to the government whether they are accepted as a refugee.
How are asylum seekers different from refugees?
-Asylum Seekers haven’t had their claims processed, and therefore aren’t considered refugees yet.
Define Migrant.
Whereas refugees and asylum seekers leave their home to escape persecution, migrants an move for any number of reasons, such as seeking a better quality of life. Migrants differ from refugees and asylum seekers because they continue to receive the protection of their government and can return to their country of origin without fear of persecution. In order to migrate to a country, a person needs a visa (an entry permit given by the government).
Migrants aren’t refugees because…
-They can return home
-They have permission to enter the country (VISA)
Define a state.
States are the central actor in global politics and they possess a permanent population, defined territory and recognized sovereignty.
Define international law.
International law is a body of rules established by a custom or written legal agreements that are accepted as binding upon the international community. Customary international law applies to all global actors. Written legal agreements, such as treaties, are only binding to those who consent to it through explicit ratification.
Define a multilateral treaty.
-A binding international agreement between 3 or more parties.
-In order to be considered a party to a treaty, a state must first sign the treaty to signify their agreement to the terms.
-The state must then ratify the treaty by creating a domestic law that implements and enforces its terms.
Why does a state need to pass its own laws (ratify) to give effect to the terms of a treaty?
-Ensures that the treaty is enforced within the borders of individual states
-States have complete control over the laws within their borders
What kinds of international laws is Australia bound by?
-Refugee convention: Australia has signed and ratified the treaty
-Universal Declaration of Human Rights
-Geneva convention
Define national interests.
The national interests of a state are pursued to ensure the survival and potential growth of that state. States implement policies and types of power to achieve their national interest and maintain state sovereignty.
