Human rights and refugees: enhancing protection through international human rights law

This essay suggests that UN human rights law and related mechanisms can make a significant
contribution to refugee protection. Although UN mechanisms may not provide a framework
of protection as expansive, reliable and accessible as some domestic systems, recent
developments in international human rights law have contributed to this international legal
system which can be invoked in support of both specific cases and more broad-based
advocacy on behalf of refugees. This article draws on specific examples to argue that
UNHCR and refugee advocates can use these laws and mechanisms to enhance protection
principles and give effect to forms of enforcement. To this end, refugee advocates, NGOs and
international organisations including UNHCR all have important roles to play if this positive
evolution is to continue.