People forced from home retain their rights and must be protected from return to danger, discrimination and exploitation.
People forced from home retain their rights and must be protected from return to danger, discrimination and exploitation.
WHRF focus area. People may be displaced within their own country or cross a border because of persecution, conflict, violence, disasters or other serious threats. Legal status differs, but human dignity and fundamental rights do not disappear with an address.
Protection includes admission to safety, non-refoulement, documentation, family unity, access to services and genuine choices about return, local integration or resettlement. Any return must be voluntary, informed, safe and dignified.
The 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol define core refugee protections. Human rights law also protects internally displaced people and others who do not fit a particular status category.
WHRF approaches this issue through independent research, public-interest analysis, non-partisan advocacy and cooperation with credible human-rights actors. This page identifies a focus area; it does not claim that WHRF currently operates a field programme or provides direct services in a particular country.
Contact WHRF if your organization has relevant evidence, expertise or a responsible partnership proposal.
Last reviewed: 20 October 2026.
