UNHCR Protection Manual

This annex to UNHCR’s note on the “externalization” of international protection (the ‘Note’) examines various policies and practices which effectively serve to “externalize” international protection obligations. It explains that measures designed, or effectively serving, to avoid responsibility or to shift, rather than share, burdens are contrary to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (‘1951 Refugee Convention’) and widely-accepted principles of international cooperation and solidarity. It further explains that such externalization measures are distinct from policies and practices adopted in accordance with international law, aimed at sharing international protection responsibilities in the spirit of international cooperation and solidarity.

This Note summarizes applicable legal standards and UNHCR’s positions regarding policies and practices which effectively serve to “externalize” international protection obligations.

This document sets out key legal considerations concerning the applicability of international and regional refugee and human rights law when cross-border displacement
occurs in the context of the adverse effects of climate change and disasters.

The Procedural Standards for RSD under UNHCR’s Mandate sets out the minimum procedural standards
for when RSD is conducted by UNHCR under its mandate. It establishes core principles and standards
that must be observed to ensure that all asylum-seekers applying for refugee status determination under
UNHCR’s mandate benefit from accurate, timely and consistent decision-making and to support capacity-
development of UNHCR RSD staff and other stakeholders.