Non-State Actors of Protection and Refugee Status: Interpreting Articles 1A(2) and 1C of the 1951 Refugee Convention

This paper examines whether non-state actors can be considered actors of protection for the purposes of refugee status determination, internal flight or relocation alternatives, and cessation under Articles 1A(2) and 1C of the 1951 Refugee Convention. It reviews legal doctrine, State practice and EU jurisprudence, concluding that while some non-state actors may be considered relevant in principle, only stable, established State-like authorities capable of providing effective, accessible and durable protection are likely to meet the required threshold in practice.