According to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (the Geneva Convention), a refugee is someone who "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable, or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it…"

 

In Britain a refugee is a person whose application for asylum has been approved.

Anyone is allowed to ask for sanctuary in another country if they are suffering persecution in their own country. An asylum seeker is someone who has submitted an application for asylum to the United Kingdom authorities and is still waiting for a decision on whether this will be granted.

 

 

Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate:

 

Asylum Aid:

 

Asylum Support:

 

Refugee Council:

 

Refugee Action
Chancery House,
7 Millstone lane,
Leicester,
Phone: (0116) 261 6200
www.refugee-action.org

Refugees & Asylum Seekers Advice Project
Epic House (third floor)
Lower Hill Street, Leicester
LE1 3SH
Phone: (0116) 299 9800

 

Refugee Housing Association
Active Community Centre
2nd Floor, 9 Newarke Street,
Leicester
LE1 5SN
Phone: (0116) 257 4000