International Rights of Refugees

UN principle of nonrefoulement:

The right of a refugee not to be forcibly returned to the country of origin

PROBLEMS:

• many states do not want refugees
• many states cannot afford refugees
• "refugees" fleeing anticipated persecution
• interdiction en route and then returned
• internment to discourage additional refugees

Examples of Forced Repatriations:

• Burmese and Cambodians FROM Thailand
• Vietnamese FROM Hong Kong
• Albanians FROM Italy
• Haitians FROM the U.S.