There is growing concern that the refugee regime that has been in place for nearly five decades is under considerable strain in the current period. This paper addresses some of the areas of greatest challenge to the refugee regime, particularly in the industrialized countries, but also in other parts of the world. Four areas are examined in the paper: the debate about agents of persecution; the notion of political offence in extradition treaties; the criminalization of illegal departure; and the precipitation of repatriation. All four involve developments which pose challenges to refugee protection, but where the outlook is not wholly gloomy: in these areas, as in others, refugee studies and scholarship may yet have an impact on current practice and on the progressive development of international law.

[No Keywords available]

refugee immigration policy human rights