General/Regional Terms (Applicable Across MENA)
Citizenship
The relationship between an individual and a State, entitling the individual to the protection of the State and providing a legal basis for the exercise of many civil and political rights. For the purposes of this glossary, citizenship refers to having identity documents and recognition by a State as a citizen under its domestic laws.
Asylum-Seeker
An individual who is claiming or applying for protection as a refugee and who has not yet received a final decision on his or her claim; or has not yet submitted an application for refugee status recognition but may nevertheless be in need of international protection.
Registered Refugee
A refugee registered with either UNHCR or UNRWA, depending on mandate. UNRWA registers Palestine refugees; UNHCR registers non-Palestine refugees.
Refugee
Refugees are persons outside their countries of origin who are in need (and entitled to) of international protection because of feared persecution, or a serious threat to their life, physical integrity or freedom in their country of origin as a result of persecution, armed conflict, violence or serious public disorder. Refugees no longer have the protection of their own country and cannot safely return there.
International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs)
NGOs that carry out programming in multiple countries, often with foreign headquarters.
Nationality
Defined under international law as membership in a nation or sovereign State. This definition is used in international and regional treaties and does not attach to a particular State’s domestic laws. Nationality can also be understood as the overarching connection between an individual and a territory.
Palestine Refugees (UNRWA Definition)
Persons whose normal place of residence was Palestine during 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948, and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict, including descendants of Palestine refugee males (including legally adopted children). This commonly includes all persons of Arab origin displaced from the former British Mandate Palestine territory, Gaza Strip, West Bank (including East Jerusalem), and their descendants.
Civil Registration
The registration of vital life events, including birth, marriage, divorce, and death. Required to obtain identity documentation proving citizenship in most MENA countries. Failure to register may result in denial of citizenship rights.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Non-profit organizations operating independently of any government. Typically refers to organizations operating in only one country, unless specified as INGOs.
Refugee Status
a legal status for individuals forced to flee their country due to a well-founded fear of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
Migrant
Any person “who is moving or has moved across an international border or within a
State away from his/her habitual place of residence, regardless of:
(1) the person’s legal status;
(2) whether the movement is voluntary or involuntary;
(3) what the causes for the movement are;
or
(4) what the length of the stay is.”
Right to Return
The term describing Palestinians’ right to return to their homes in Palestine, as established by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194.
Principle of non-refoulement
it prohibits States from transferring or removing individuals from their jurisdiction or effective control when there are substantial grounds for believing that the person would be at risk of irreparable harm upon return, including persecution, torture, ill-treatment or other serious human rights violations.
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
Community-based organizations that operate independently from any government. May include those registered as NGOs but excludes international NGOs.