An International Convention on Refugee Resettlement

Abstract

Forced migration has been the subject of intense debate in the past 50 years and has spawned a wealth of literature as a result. Few commentators, however, have considered the value or viability of an international agreement on refugee resettlement that would include mandatory resettlement quotas. This article puts forward a proposal for an International Convention on Refugee Resettlement. Such a convention would, I argue, help to address some of the current limitations of resettlement as a solution to the increase in refugee numbers. Appendix 1 contains the suggested wording for such a convention, drawing on several international human rights treaties (particularly the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees) as well as resettlement principles and policies set out by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Appendix 2 provides explanatory notes for the draft wording. It is hoped that such wording might be of use to those campaigning for the development of a binding, international agreement on resettlement.