Asylum is protection granted by a State to individuals outside their country of nationality or habitual residence who have fled persecution or feared harm in their home countries. The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol define the concept of a refugee, outline countries’ obligations to protect refugees, and enshrine the principle of non-refoulement. Countries can grant asylum either from abroad or through their resettlement programs. In the United States, people who claim asylum are known as refugees.
The global phenomenon of urbanization is creating complex political dynamics that governments must address to ensure the safety and security of their citizens. This involves preventing violence, maintaining order in cities and other urban centers, promoting freedom of expression while balancing it with responsible restrictions, establishing anti-corruption measures to prevent undue influence in government affairs, and more.
During the past decade, large waves of migrants and asylum seekers have moved through Europe, exposing them to a number of stressors. Research has shown that these individuals are at a high risk of posttrauma pathology including depression and anxiety disorders. Children are especially at risk, as they do not have the same coping skills as adults.
People seeking asylum go through a process to establish whether they meet the definition of a refugee. The person must prove that they have suffered persecution on one or more of the protected grounds and that they have a well-founded fear of future persecution. This is typically done in the country where the individual has arrived and/or at its border. If a person is not able to establish their asylum claims, they are usually removed from the country.
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