The complexity of religion in determining refugee status

Abstract

This paper was prepared as a background paper for an expert discussion on religion organized as part of the follow-up to the agenda for protection. It seeks to provide useful background information that an adjudicator should consider when interpreting and applying asylum law. It provides some analysis of the theoretical and factual issues underlying the reality of religious persecution and proposes some specific conclusions that should be considered by adjudicators of religious persecution claims.