Assessing serious disturbances to public order under the 1969 OAU Convention, including in the context of disasters, environmental degradation and the adverse effects of climate change

This paper supports African States and their decision makers to apply the Article I(2) definition in a consistent and fair manner by developing concrete and practical guidance for its application. Based on a principled interpretation in accordance with international law rules of treaty interpretation, this paper provides an in-depth legal analysis of the Article I(2) refugee definition, with a particular focus on the phrase “events seriously disturbing public order”.