Chapter 2. 1967 Protocol—An Addendum To The 1951 Convention

Abstract

This chapter argues that the 1967 Protocol failed to resolve developing states' claim of Eurocentrism within the 1951 Convention. It explores the creation of the 1967 Protocol in four sections. First, it looks at the difficulty that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was having reconciling the 1951 Convention's refugee definition with the broader definition of a refugee contained in its mandate and the growing number of 'mandate' refugees as opposed to 'Convention' refugees. Second, it discusses the UNHCR's attempts to develop a relationship with the newly decolonized states. The third section focuses on the debate about what amendment to the 1951 Convention was required by analyzing the discussions on the issue at Bellagio. The final section reflects on Southeast Asian responses to the 1967 Protocol, and considers the UNHCR's overtures to the region's states to encourage them to partake in the universalization of international refugee law.Keywords:1951 Convention; 1967 Protocol; Eurocentrism; international refugee law; Southeast Asian responses; United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees