Refugees are defined as people who?

Refugees are specifically defined as individuals who flee their home countries due to persecution, conflict, violence, or danger. This definition highlights the distinction between refugees and other groups of migrants. The critical aspect of their status is that they are forced to leave their country because they face threats to their safety or well-being, typically due to factors such as war, political unrest, or systematic discrimination based on race, religion, ethnicity, or political views. This urgent need to escape perilous conditions sets refugees apart from other migrants who may move for different reasons, such as seeking better economic opportunities or voluntary relocation for employment.

The definitions surrounding migration often include various terms, each with its specific context. Economic migrants, for instance, are individuals who choose to move to improve their economic situation, while those displaced by natural disasters may not qualify as refugees since their relocation is not necessarily due to persecution or conflict. Understanding these nuances is crucial in sociology, as it informs discussions around migration policies, humanitarian efforts, and the legal rights of displaced individuals.