This guide lists the major print and online sources for researching international refugee law. For broader resources see the International and Foreign Law guide and for domestic resources see the Australian Migration Law guide.
More detailed information on ANU Library resources and services is available from the ANU Library website
Information Advisors are available to assist you with your research. To speak to an advisor please come to the Information Desk in the Law Library, email email@example.com or phone 61254013.
For Australian law see the Law Library Guide.
Two principal conventions govern international refugee law: the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol to the Convention.The Convention defines refugee status and the legal obligations of signatory states and establishes the basic standards of treatment. The Protocol eliminates the geographic and time limitations of the 1951 Convention. Australia ratified the Convention on 22 January 1954 and the Protocol on 13 December 1973.
In addition, two regional instruments, the OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa and the 1984 Cartagena Declaration on Refugees, extend refugee rights to a broader class of people.
Other resources for finding international and regional instruments include: