Asylum in the practice of Latin American and African states

The purpose of this paper is to bring into the legal debate on refugee protection a perspective often overlooked, namely, that of asylum itself as an institution different from refugee status. In particular, the practice of Latin American and African states, which have a long-standing tradition of protection, will be explored. The constitutions of Latin American and African states have been examined, together with their interpretations by Constitutional and/or Supreme Courts when they exist.