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Political asylum is the right to seek refuge from persecution, respected by ancient civilizations and modern countries. Asylum laws vary, but generally protect those fearing persecution due to race, religion, politics, and gender. Organizations offer legal and practical assistance to asylum seekers.
Political asylum is the right to seek refuge somewhere if you have a reasonable fear of persecution. It is an ancient concept, with civilizations such as Greece and Rome respecting the right of asylum and reading it. Many countries offer asylum to people on an individual basis. Depending on a country’s laws, someone can apply for asylum in a number of ways, and if the application is successful, that person can live and work in the host country.
In ancient times, criminals and persecuted people could seek refuge in neighboring nations or designated sanctuaries. With the advent of the Christian church, many churches also became places of refuge for asylum seekers. By law, people could not disturb asylum seekers in a church, and churches had the right to protect those in their care. This concept persists in many countries, although some laws allow criminals to be arrested when they seek refuge in a church, while genuine asylum seekers are left alone.
Modern asylum laws generally grant asylum to people who fear persecution because of their race, nationality, origin, ethnicity, cultural or religious beliefs, or political activity. Some nations also grant it to people seeking protection from gender discrimination; for example, women in countries with Sharia law can seek asylum to avoid harsh punishments for adultery. In the case of mass displaced groups of refugees, applications can be streamlined and followed up quickly, as a courtesy.
Existing asylum laws vary, but as a general rule, someone must indicate that they wish to apply for asylum upon entry into a country, although in some cases the application may be made later, as might be the case when someone is traveling on a routine trip and finds it would be dangerous to go home. The application can include a wealth of supporting information, and people can have up to a year or more to gather the documents and support they need. If refused, the applicant may be deported if he is in the country illegally or may be asked to go through another application procedure to receive an alien residence card or an extended visa.
Many countries around the world take asylum very seriously, and international organizations have enacted rules and regulations in an effort to keep asylum laws uniform. Many organizations will also help people who believe they are eligible for political asylum, by offering legal assistance, housing and job placement, and assistance in applying for permanent residency or citizenship.
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