Global Responsibilities: Navigating Immigration in an Interconnected World

A primary responsibility for all countries is adherence to the principle of non-refoulement, a cornerstone of international refugee law. This critical obligation dictates that no state shall expel or return a person to a country where their life or freedom would be threatened on account of their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion. This principle applies not only to recognized refugees but also to asylum seekers and, in some interpretations, to anyone who would face torture, inhuman, or degrading treatment upon return, underscoring a universal commitment to preventing severe human rights violations.