Abstract:
This work has its origins in a 2001 term-paper done during my B.A. in International
Affairs at the Lebanese American University, Byblos. The paper, at that time, for which I have
chosen to work on the status of refugees under international law, inspired me a lot, especially
tat I was very interested in issues of human rights and international law, and encouraged me to
continue my research in this field, and present today my work on refugees under international
law based on a thesis statement. The work covers the period following the First World War up
till the few months following the events of September 11, 2001. Therefore it is limited to the
year 2002, without taking into consideration the latest war on Iraq and the Iraqi refugees.
Globalization and the trends towards universalism and international political
integration have definitely ad a bearing on the problem of refugees and the international law
governing their status. The generous reception of refugees after the two World Wars as
largely decreased after the Cold War. Governments today often consider refugee protection as
an irritant to political and economic relations with the state of origin. Terrorism and the attacks
of the September 11 caused states to put security above humanitarian considerations.
Moreover, the Palestine refugees are considered to be one of the most important issues
of concern to the international community. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict shows that the
issue of terrorism cannot be separated from its larger political and military context.
Repatriation is also analyzed in this work. The UNHCR encourages voluntary repatriation and
considers it the best solution for refugees and displaced persons. The role of the government
in the repatriation process is also important.
Finally, this work is intended to demonstrate the effects of such trends on the status of
refugees. The salience of fundamentalism and the manifestation of terrorism have been
variables that are, ironically, affecting the progress achieved in the status of refugees in the
latter phase of the 20th century and which continue in our present century. Analyzing the
influence of these factors on refugees will also constitute an integral part of this thesis. The
hypothesis that such variables are currently disturbing the improved status of the refugee
without eventually reversing it will be advanced and supported.
