and enjoyment of their rights in accordance with international law […] [and] the ultimate
goal of these activities is to help [refugees] rebuild their lives within a reasonable amount of
time”.323 The general framework for international protection is expanded upon in the Refugee
Convention and its 1967 Protocol.
g
g
Physical safety and security (protection against physical harm);
Legal protection (ensuring and respecting fundamental human rights and freedoms,
including access to justice, legal status, security of properties, and finding a durable solution);
Material security (ensuring the well-being of the persons involved, that is, to guarantee
their human dignity and equal access to basic goods and services).
The framework of international protection similarly applies to both refugees and IDPs
although the latter group is only partially covered by the Refugee Convention and its Protocol
since they have not crossed an international border. Nonetheless, considering that they have
many of the same protection needs as refugees, some principles of refugee law are applicable
to IDPs by analogy. The legal framework applicable to IDPs is provided by the UNHCR
Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.325
Israeli air strikes over Rafah camp, Gaza, August, 2022. (Source: al-ayyam.ps)
323
UNHCR, ‘UNHCR and International Protection: A Protection Induction Programme’ (2006), 12 <https://www.
refworld.org/pdfid/466e71c32.pdf> accessed 3 October 2022.
324
UNHCR, ‘Notes on International Protection’ (UNHCR, 2022) <https://www.unhcr.org/search?comid=4a27bb7b
6&cid=49aea93a20&tags=Notes%20International%20>; and UNHCR, A Thematic Compilation of Executive Committee
Conclusions (UNHCR 2014) <https://www.unhcr.org/53b26db69.pdf> accessed 3 October 2022
325
OCHA, ‘Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement’ (2004) [hereinafter OCHA, Guiding Principles] <https://www.
unhcr.org/protection/idps/43ce1cff2/guiding-principles-internal-displacement.html> accessed 3 October 2022.
71
Chapter
g
3
Tracing the interpretation used in relevant jurisprudence, reports of the Executive Committee
of UNHCR,324 best practices of states, and by non-mandated organizations, international
protection encompasses three essential elements:
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