Forced migration and displaced people

The 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees call on signatory nations to guarantee the protection of refugees upon arrival. Yet, contemporary approaches by many nation-states toward migrants with irregular status are marked by heightened vigilance, suspicion, xenophobic intolerance, and potential detention and deportation. This is exacerbated by politicians and right-wing media portraying refugees as threats to the social, cultural, and security fabric of these nations. The authors critically examine how Western nation-states, which otherwise champion human rights, apply these principles inconsistently toward refugees. Successive governments in the United Kingdom (UK) for example, have created a hostile environment for those arriving within its borders, fleeing violence, persecution, and human rights violations, thus denying basic human rights. This entry reflects on the role of social work in promoting justice, equality, and human rights for one of the most marginalised communities globally.