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Summary Information
Full Title

1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees

Short Title / Abbreviations

1951 Refugee Convention

CIL Subject Classification
Citations to Text 189 UNTS 150, UKTS 39 (1954), [1954] ATS 5
Date of Adoption 28/07/1951
Place of Adoption Geneva, Switzerland, 1951 United Nations Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Status of Refugees and Stateless Persons
Secretariat / Relevant Authority

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Dispute settlement provisions

“Article 38 – Settlement of disputes

Any dispute between Parties to this Convention relating to its interpretation or application, which cannot be settled by other means, shall be referred to the International Court of Justice at the request of any one of the parties to the dispute.”

Depository

Secretary-General of the United Nations

Entry Into Force Status In Force
Date of Entry into Force

22/04/1954

Entry into Force / Termination Provisions

“Article 43 – Entry into force

1. This Convention shall come into force on the ninetieth day following the day of deposit of the sixth instrument of ratification or accession.

2. For each State ratifying or acceding to the Convention after the deposit of the sixth instrument of ratification or accession, the Convention shall enter into force on the ninetieth day following the date of deposit by such State of its instrument of ratification or accession.”

General Status 146 Parties (as of 14/07/2021)
Links to Current Status/Reservations United Nations Treaty Collection
Status
ASEAN States
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia Accession 15/10/1992
Indonesia
Lao PDR
Malaysia
Myanmar
Philippines Accession 21/07/1981
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam
Related Instruments
Protocols / Amendments to this instrument

1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees

Related Instruments

1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons

External Links
Additional Information

The Convention was adopted by the United Nations Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Status of Refugees and Stateless Persons, held at Geneva from 2 to 25 July 1951.  The Conference was convened pursuant to resolution 429 (V), adopted y the General Assembly of the United Nations on 14 December 1950.