III.2.1.5 Group/Prima Facie refugee recognition under the OAU Convention

Main Debate

  • Is the OAU Refugee Convention definition a ‘group-based’ definition?

Main Point

  • While the definition appears to imply a link to prima facie refugee determination, the definition is framed in individual terms and nowhere in the definition or the OAU Convention’s provisions for asylum is the concept of prima facie refugee determination considered. 

Readings

Core

  1. B. Rutinwa, ‘Prima facie status and refugee protection’, New Issues in Refugee Research, Working paper No. 69, 24 October 2002.
  2. M. Sharpe, ‘The 1969 African Refugee Convention: Innovations, Misconceptions, and Omissions’ McGill Law Journal, vol. 58, no. 1 (2012), pp. 17-19.
  3. A. Edwards, ‘Refugee Status Determination in Africa’, African Journal of International and Comparative Law, vol. 14, (2006), pp. 216-228.
  4. G. Okoth-Obbo, ‘Thirty Years on: A Legal Review of the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa’, Refugee Survey Quarterly, vol. 20, no. 1 (2001), pp. 118-122.

Extended

  1. T. Schreier, ‘An Evaluation of South Africa’s Application of the OAU Refugee Definition’ Refuge, vol. 24, no. 53, pp. 55-56.