Published Paper Details:

Migration exists since there are people on Earth. Ever since, a part of those people not satisfied with their opportunities or who had to flee from war or persecution tried to find a better life somewhere else, if the circumstances allowed it. Today, global migration has reached a dimension that was considered unimaginable just a few years ago. In the current world order, democratic states, most of which have affirmed various international law instruments such as covenants, conventions, declarations, resolutions and so on, have responsibility towards refugees. Further, states that include the principle of universal human rights as part of their municipal legal framework have responsibility towards refugees. Obviously, many states fit in both categories. However, problems arise with an increase in the magnitude of refugee movement, when a large number of refugees enter a state's territory and ask for their entitlements as per international law instruments or municipal laws or both. In this kind of situation the state may apply its sovereign right over its territory and close its border, but, on the other hand, the state is bound by responsibilities arising from the norms of universal human rights. The question, then, is whether democratic states have any obligation to protect refugees, and if so, what are those obligations?