The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol are the key legal documents that form the basis of UNHCR’s work. With 149 State parties to either or both, they define the term ‘refugee’ and outline refugees’ rights and States’ legal obligations to protect them.
The core principle is non-refoulement, which asserts that refugees should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom. This is considered customary international law.
Photo Caption: Signing of the 1951 Refugee Convention in Geneva. © Arni/UN Archives
According to the legislation, States are expected to cooperate with UNHCR in ensuring that the rights of refugees are respected and protected. Israel ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention in 1954 and its 1967 Protocol in 1968.
Additional International Conventions
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Convention on The Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
- Convention on The Rights of The Child
- 1954 Convention on The Status of Stateless Persons
- International Convention on The Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
- International Convenant On Civil and Political Rights
- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
- Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
States parties, reservations and declarations (September 2019)
Procedures for Becoming a State Party