This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the different frameworks for considering how refugees might participate in their country of nationality whilst still refugees, setting out the international law as it applies to those refugees and the operationalization of interoperability within the UN as UNHCR seeks to provide permanent solutions by assisting governments. It needs to be noted that in practice there will be a host of non-legal factors that will have an impact on the participation of refugees in the political processes in the country of asylum.
Geoff Gilbert, Political participation of refugees in their country of nationality, Research Paper No.38, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), November 2018, https://www.refworld.org/reference/lpprs/unhcr/2018/122358 [accessed 30 April 2026]
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Key legal considerations on the standards of treatment of refugees recognized under the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, 19 December 2017, https://www.refworld.org/policy/legalguidance/unhcr/2017/119604 [accessed 30 April 2026]
UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR), Duties of States towards refugees and migrants under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, E/C.12/2017/1, 13 March 2017, https://www.refworld.org/policy/declas/cescr/2017/117624 [accessed 30 April 2026]
This paper examines the scope of political rights of refugees in the context of international law, as well as current State practice before going on to make a number of recommendations about best practice.
Ruma Mandal, Political Rights of Refugees, Research Paper No.4, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), November 2003, https://www.refworld.org/reference/lpprs/unhcr/2003/21005 [accessed 30 April 2026]
