This article examines the meaning of ‘protection’ as applied by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in its policy in the Middle East, with particular reference to Jordan and Lebanon. It traces the move by human rights and development agencies to adopt a ‘rights-based approach’ in their activities, and critiques the adoption of such an approach by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (and nongovernmental organisations) in the definition of ‘(international) protection’. The article then proceeds to explore how this interpretation of protection manifests itself in the context of Iraqi and Syrian flight to neighbouring states. It concludes by arguing that the language of protection continues to be confusing and that a rightsbased definition not only does not reflect the reality of assistance on the ground, but may, in fact, impede the willingness of states in the region to support refugees in the long term. © 2015 Taylor & Francis.

UNHCR Refugees protection rights-based approach Jordan Lebanon Middle East

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