Refugees under international law. (c2004)

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.