Glossary

Important Definitions

ASYLUM

This term refers to a sanctuary or place of refuge and protection.

ASYLUM SEEKERS

Someone who leaves their home country, often fleeing persecution, torture or war, and applies for REFUGEE STATUS (see below) in a new country. Until refugee status is granted, such a person remains an asylum seeker. He or she will have very few rights, and may, as in the UK, be placed in a DETENTION CENTRE (see below).

DEPORTATION

People are 'deported' when they are forced to leave their new country - either to return to their country of origin or to a third country. People may also be deported (or 'exiled') from their own countries, perhaps for political reasons.

DETENTION CENTRES / REMOVAL CENTRES

Centres where those people who are applying for ASYLUM (see above) and those suspected of being in Britain illegally are kept until immigration authorities make the decision either to allow them to stay in Britain and be released into the community, or to send them back to their country of origin. According to the Refugee Council, in 2003, 10,000 refused asylum seekers were removed from the UK.

ECONOMIC MIGRANT

This term is used to describe people who leave their country for financial reasons; because, for example, there are not enough jobs in their country or their country is very poor.

GENOCIDE

This term was first used in 1944, towards the end of the Second World War. It refers to the intentional destruction of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group.

HUMANITARIAN LEAVE / DISCRETIONARY LEAVE

Some refugees are given a temporary status called 'humanitarian leave' or 'discretionary leave' which allows them to remain in the UK for a short period of time. This type of permission is given to those who are not judged to be refugees but have other humanitarian reasons why they cannot return to their country.

IMMIGRANT

This term is used to describe people who take up permanent residence in a country other than his or her homeland.

IMMIGRANT, ILLEGAL

An illegal immigrant is someone who has moved to a new country without gaining permission from that country or following the procedures to be treated as an ASYLUM SEEKER (see above).

INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE

People who may have left their homes - because of war, human rights abuses, a natural disaster, or for any other reason - but have not left their country.

MIGRANT

This term could be used to describe anyone who has left their country and taken up residence in another country on a temporary basis.

REFUGEE

'Refugee' is used in everyday language to describe someone who has fled their home and country because of danger to themselves and their families.

International law has to be more precise. The 1951 Refugee Convention describes refugees as people who have fled from their country due to a well-founded fear of persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. People fleeing wars, conflicts and generalised violence are also considered as refugees. These people are then given REFUGEE STATUS by the government of the country that they have fled to.

REFUGEE CAMPS

Refugee camps are places built by governments, NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations) or charities to receive refugees. People stay in these camps when they have fled from their homes and may receive emergency food, medical care and accommodation in the camps until it is safe for them to return home, or until a more permanent solution can be found. Sometimes people end up staying in these camps for many years because they are unable to leave, and are left at risk of disease, violence and other problems.

REFUGEE STATUS

When a government of a country legally accepts an individual's asylum application and their need for protection, they are then formally allowed to stay in the country as a refugee. Once they have been granted refugee status, they will also be given a UN refugee passport and granted 'leave to remain' - that is, permission to stay - either indefinitely or for a defined period. They will also be allowed to work and may be able to bring their family to live with them.