Who is a refugee?

A refugee is anyone who leaves their country because they fear they are in danger of persecution for one of the following five reasons:

1. Race – including ethnicity
2. Religion – in some countries having no religion is viewed as badly as being the ‘wrong’ religion
3. Nationality
4. Membership of a particular social group – this can include things like membership of a trade union, your gender (i.e. male or female), your sexual orientation, your age (i.e. if children are in danger of persecution)
5. Political opinion – this is not only if you are a member of a political party, but if you have any political opinions, or even if people think you do.