Stretching International Asylum Law and Distorting the Refugee: A Comparative Study

Today, the refugee crisis has become a growing global concern. As the number of displaced individuals continues to grow, the number of asylum applicants continue to rise in many countries. Although the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol establish international guidelines to safeguard the rights of asylum seekers and refugees, many countries have chosen to tighten their borders and establish stricter policies. In doing so, many governments have undermined and overridden the international law. Through a comparative study of five countries, the U.K., U.S., Canada, Argentina, and Mexico, I explore and analyze the trends of asylum laws today and their subsequent effects on refugees in society. With the international law lacking effectiveness, is there a way to hold powerful countries accountable or to amend the system?