Legal Definitions - refoulement

Definition: Refoulement is a French term that refers to the act of expelling or returning a refugee from one country to another. It is the opposite of non-refoulement, which is the principle that prohibits the return of refugees to a country where they may face persecution or harm.

Examples:

• A Syrian refugee who fled to Turkey is forcibly returned to Syria by the Turkish authorities. This is an example of refoulement.
• An Afghan refugee who is seeking asylum in the United States is denied entry and sent back to Afghanistan, where they may face persecution. This is also an example of refoulement.

These examples illustrate how refoulement can put refugees in danger by sending them back to a country where they may face harm or persecution. It is important for countries to uphold the principle of non-refoulement and protect the rights of refugees.