The Position of Perpetrators of Terrorist Crimes in Acquiring the Status of Refugee

The purpose of the 1951 Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees is to provide international protection to those who have been deprived from national protection against persecution. International protection is the protection granted by any country other than the country of nationality or the country of residence (in the case of those not having a nationality). This protection is granted when the conditions set forth in 1951 Convention are met. Moreover, the Convention includes provisions to ensure that the refugee protection regime would not provide a cover for persons involved in serious not political crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes against peace, war crimes or acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. In considering the status of terrorist criminals in the Refugee Convention, this article seeks to show that the perpetrators of terrorist crimes are covered by these regulations and could not benefit from refugee status.