In this article, we further develop the pedagogical plan to really know who a refugee is and go deeper into the causes that can push a person to become a refugee.

It is important to note that a refugee is a person who has left his or her country of origin because of well-founded fears of persecution, armed conflict or violence. Causes that may lead a person to become a refugee include persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinions, as well as the consequences of armed conflict and serious human rights violations. Technically, a refugee is someone who has crossed an international border to seek refuge. However, a person who is internally displaced for the same reasons is referred to as an “internally displaced person” rather than a “refugee”.

The different causes that can push a person to become a refugee

1. Persecution : individuals may be persecuted because of their membership in a particular social group, religious beliefs, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or political opinions. This persecution can take the form of discrimination, arbitrary imprisonment, torture and inhuman treatment.

2. Armed conflicts : wars and armed conflicts are major drivers of population displacement. Civilians are often trapped between the fighting and are forced to leave their homes to escape the violence.

3. Widespread violence : in some cases, widespread violence and insecurity in a region or country can force people to flee for their safety and that of their families.

4. Human rights violations :  massive human rights violations, such as massacres, abductions, and rapes, can force people to flee their countries to escape these atrocities.

5. Economic Outlook : although less common, economic factors can also play a role. People may be forced to leave their countries due to extreme poverty, lack of economic opportunities, or natural disasters.

As for the question of whether one can be a refugee in one’s own country, the answer is that people who flee because of the reasons listed above are usually referred to as “internally displaced persons” rather than “refugees”. This means that they were forced to leave their place of residence, but did not cross an international border. Legal protections and regulations for refugees and internally displaced persons may vary depending on national laws and the international context.