Forced migration

Forced migration, or forced displacement, involves people being made to leave their home or homeland. It is usually caused by violence, persecution,Conventions No. 29, 105, 138 and 182; Convention No. 97 (Art. 3, Annex I; Art. 8 and Annex II, Art. 13); Convention No. 143, Part I; 1990 International Convention (Art. 21) danger, or an authority (such as a government) telling people to move. People are removed by force or by a threat or command. Those who have been forced to migrate are called "forced migrants" or "displaced persons" They may be called a refugee, but that term has a specific legal definition.

Migration of people constantly happens, but in a stable society, that is usually because a person chooses to do it. Forced migration occurs when people's lives, well-being, or freedom is endangered. They may have little or no choice but to move. In some cases, such as human trafficking and slavery, people are physically removed from their homes.

Occasionally, a government forces people and communities out of their homes or homelands for the purposes of economic development or the military. That has been most often been associated with the building of dams and military bases.

Migration may also be forced by natural disasters, when people are forced to evacuate an area.Bogumil Terminski (2012). Environmentally-Induced Displacement: Theoretical Frameworks and Current Challenges, University de Liege. That is usually temporary, and people can then return to their land once it is safe. Otherwise, such forced migration violates Fourth Geneva Convention.Fourth Geneva Convention, Article 49

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has stated for 32 yeaes that Afghanistan produces the largest number of refugees each year. Almost half of the refugees are children under the age of 18. Many of them are separated from their parents.

 Related pages 
 Asylum seeker
 Deportation

 References 

 Other websites 
 What is Forced Migration? , an introductory guide for those who are new to the subject.


Category:Human rights abuses
Category:Population