The 1951 Refugee Convention and Key International Conventions - UNHCR Israel

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