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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Refugee and Asylum?

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The terms refugee and asylum seeker are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct differences:

  • Refugee: A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee their home country due to war, violence, or persecution, and cannot return unless conditions are safe for them. Refugees are given protections under international laws and conventions once their status is determined by an official entity, such as a government or the United Nations Refugee Agency.
  • Asylum Seeker: An asylum seeker is someone who has left their country and is seeking protection from persecution but has not yet been recognized as a refugee. They have applied for asylum on the basis of a well-founded fear of persecution if they return to their home country. Not every asylum seeker will be recognized as a refugee, as the process of applying for asylum can take years, and the right to be recognized as a refugee is determined by law after an evaluation.

Both refugees and asylum seekers are seeking international protection from the dangers they face in their home countries. However, the key difference lies in the legal status and protections granted to them. Refugees have already been granted legal protection under international laws, while asylum seekers are still in the process of applying for that protection and have not yet received official recognition.

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  • What is the Difference Between Refugee and Asylum?
  • Comparative Table: Refugee vs Asylum

    • Comparative Table: Refugee vs Asylum

    Here is a table comparing the differences between refugees and asylum seekers:

    Refugee Asylum Seeker
    A refugee is a person outside their country of origin who is unable or unwilling to return due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, or political opinion. They are recognized and granted protection under the 1951 Convention. An asylum seeker is a person who requests asylum upon arrival to (or resides in) a country other than their country of origin. Their claim for refugee status has not been determined.
    Refugees apply for status from outside their country of origin. Asylum seekers apply for status either at the border or within the country they have fled to.
    Refugees have been granted protection and recognition. Asylum seekers have not yet been granted protection or recognition.

    In summary, the main difference between a refugee and an asylum seeker is the stage of their application process and the recognition of their status. Refugees have already been granted protection and recognition, while asylum seekers are in the process of applying for status and have not yet been recognized as refugees.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.