A fundamental principle of international refugee law that prohibits the return of refugees or asylum seekers to a country where they may face persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. This principle is enshrined in the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol and is considered a cornerstone of international human rights law.
Etymology:
The term “nonrefoulement” is derived from the French word “refouler,” meaning “to push back” or “to repel,” with “non-” indicating negation.