With reference to the UN Refugee Convention of 1951, consider the foll...
People from Tamil-speaking areas of Sri Lanka are arriving in Tamil Nadu illegally in the wake of the economic crisis in the island nation.
UN Refugee Convention of 1951:
- It is a United Nations multilateral treaty that defines who is a refugee, and sets out the rights of individuals who are granted asylum and the responsibilities of nations that grant asylum.
- The Convention also sets out which people do not qualify as refugees. e.g., war criminals.
- The core principle of the convention is non-refoulementwhich states that a person fleeing persecution from his own country should not be forced to return to his own country.
- Signatories: 140 countries
1967 Protocol:
- The UN Refugee Convention of 1951 was initially limited to protecting European refugees after the World War II.
- The 1967 protocol removes these geographical as well as temporal limits that were part of the 1951 Convention.
Why India has not sign the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 protocol?
- Borders in South Asia are extremely porous and any conflict can result in a mass movement of people. This can have two results:
- A strain on local infrastructure and resources of the country
- It can upset the demographic balance in India.
- Hence India has signed neither the 1951 Refugee Convention nor the 1967 protocol.
Hence only statement 1 is correct.
With reference to the UN Refugee Convention of 1951, consider the foll...
The correct answer is option 'A' i.e. statement 1 only is correct.
Explanation:
1. The core principle of the convention is non-refoulement:
The core principle of the UN Refugee Convention of 1951 is non-refoulement. Non-refoulement refers to the principle that states are prohibited from returning or expelling refugees to a territory where their life or freedom would be threatened on account of their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion. This principle is considered the cornerstone of refugee protection and is aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of refugees.
2. India is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention:
Contrary to statement 2, India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention. Although India has a significant refugee population, it is not a party to the convention. India has adopted a more ad hoc approach to refugee protection, primarily dealing with refugees on a case-by-case basis rather than through a comprehensive legal framework.
India has been hosting a large number of refugees, including Tibetans, Sri Lankans, and Afghans, among others. Despite not being a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, India has provided refuge and assistance to those fleeing persecution and conflict. India's approach to refugees is guided by principles of humanity and compassion.
In conclusion, only statement 1 is correct. The core principle of the UN Refugee Convention of 1951 is non-refoulement, while India is not a signatory to the convention.
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