Article 14 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights states "everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries, asylum from persecution". In 1951 the United Nations drew up a convention relating to the Status of Refugees. It defines a refugee as a person 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 to or, is unwilling to avail himself (sic) of the protection of that country". Those countries that signed this convention are committed to honouring it both in spirit and in action. Australia was one of the signatories.

Gathered under Resources the reader will find articles and extracts from a range of sources relating to refugees and asylum seekers such as their treatment, Governments responses, advocacy and more.