Along with the legal definition, the rights of refugees are outlined in the Refugee Conviction. Once the official refugee status is granted, they are allowed to stay in the country for up to 5 years and can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain later on. Refugees are humans, therefore, they can benefit from human rights protection in international conventions and domestic laws.
What Rights Do Refugees Have in the UK?
In the UK, refugees share the same human rights as British citizens
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of conscience, thought, and religion
- Freedom from torture and any degrading treatment
- Freedom from discrimination
- The right to liberty, security, and life
Besides basic human rights, refugees are provided additional protection in cases of persecution or threat to life or safety.
Right of Non-Penalisation
There is a right not to be penalised for illegal entry, similarly, it applies to criminal sanctions for illegal entry and associated offences. This right is considerably important for refugees as most of them fleeing persecution do not have the time and resources for the right entry.
Right of Non-Refoulement
The right of non-refoulment is considered the cornerstone of international refugee protection. It refers to the obligation of the state to not refuse or return a refugee to a country where his life would be threatened.
Freedom of Movement
Freedom of movement is a key right for refugees within the country of refuge. They are allowed to move freely within the state and can choose their place of residence.
Right of Integration
The Refugee Convention provides several rights to refugees to assist them in building a new life.
- Article 3 states the right to not discriminate between refugees
- Article 4 provides the right to freedom of religion and religious education for their children
- The rights of Articles 5, 7, 8, 25, and 29 protect refugees from the imposition of additional fiscal charges or taxation
- The right to recognition of personal juridical status (Article 12)
- The right to access court and legal assistance (Article 16)
- The right to work and self-employment ( Article 17, 18, and 19)
- Rights to join a trade union, welfare, housing, social security, and labour law protection (Article 15, 20, 21, 23, and 24)
- The right to education (Article 22)
- Rights to administrative assistance and identity papers (Articles 25 and 27)
- Rights to property and its transfer (Articles 13, 14, and 30)
- Rights to domestic and international mobility (Articles 26 and 28)
Benefits That Refugees Get in the UK
Once the refugee status is granted, refugees can work in the UK within any profession, at any skill level. In case they are unable to find any work, refugees can apply for welfare benefits. They are eligible for the following welfare benefits
- Income support
- Jobseeker’s allowance
- Employment and support allowance
- Pension credit
- Universal Credit
- Refugee integration loan
