About refugee populations

about refugee populations

Refugees are people who have fled their country of residence due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.

The most commonly accepted definition of a refugee is set out in the United Nations 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (as broadened by the 1967 Protocol). Under the convention, the term "refugee" applies to any person who:

owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.

Australia was the sixth country to ratify the convention and ratified the 1967 Protocol in 1973. This means that the convention and its definitions are reflected in Australian law.

Refugees in Queensland

The Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Citizenship coordinates the settlement of refugees in Australia.

In 2010-2011, refugees settling in Queensland came from more than 35 different countries and arrived under many different conditions. The five most common countries of origin were Afghanistan, Bhutan, Congo, Iran and Myanmar, which accounted for more than 65 per cent of all people granted refugee status in Australia.

Refugees have been settled throughout Queensland, including in Brisbane, Cairns, Logan, Toowoomba and Townsville.