Asylum landmarks in Europe
Back to Topic
Click to Print
Useful Websites
Glossary Term Selection
June 1921
The League of Nations, forerunner of the United Nations, establishes the High Commission for Refugees which is mandated principally to help 800,000 Russian refugees.
February 1946
In the wake of World War II, the UN General Assembly establishes the International Refugee Organisation. Between 1947 and 1951 it helps 1,620,000 people, mainly in Germany and Austria.
January 1951
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees replaces the IRO and begins work. In July the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees is adopted and provides the most comprehensive codification of refugee rights in history. The Convention is limited to persons who become refugees before 1 January 1951. States are free to limit refugee claims to victims of events in Europe.
January 1967
A Protocol to the Refugee Convention is adopted, extending protection to all refugees, whatever the date they were forced to leave their countries, and removing the geographical limitation to Europe.
June 199...
Want to see the rest of this article?
Would you like to see the rest of this article and all the other benefits that Issues Online can provide with?
- Useful related articles
- Video and multimedia references
- Statistical information and reference material
- Glossary of terms
- Key Facts and figures
- Related assignments
- Resource material and websites
