right of asylum: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Legal, Political, Academic, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “right of asylum” mean?
The legal right of a person to seek and receive protection from another country when fleeing persecution or danger in their home country.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The legal right of a person to seek and receive protection from another country when fleeing persecution or danger in their home country.
A fundamental principle of international law rooted in treaties like the 1951 Refugee Convention, granting individuals the right not to be returned to a country where they would face serious threats to life or freedom. The term also encompasses the legal procedures and institutional frameworks that states establish to uphold this right.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Term is identical in both varieties. Contextual usage differs slightly: in UK/EU discourse, it is frequently discussed in relation to the Dublin Regulation and the European Convention on Human Rights; in US discourse, it is often framed within immigration law and annual refugee admissions caps.
Connotations
Both carry strong legal/humanitarian connotations. In contemporary political discourse, it may also attract polarizing connotations related to border control and national sovereignty.
Frequency
Equally frequent in formal contexts in both regions. Slightly higher frequency in UK media due to geographic proximity to migration routes and EU policy debates.
Grammar
How to Use “right of asylum” in a Sentence
The refugee [verb] the right of asylum.The state [verb] the right of asylum.The right of asylum is [adjective] in the constitution.There is a right of asylum for [group of people].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “right of asylum” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The applicant sought to invoke the right of asylum.
- The country's laws right of asylum individuals fleeing torture.
American English
- The lawyer argued her client was entitled to exercise the right of asylum.
- The treaty right of asylums those with a well-founded fear of persecution.
adjective
British English
- The right-of-asylum principle is enshrined in law.
- They engaged in a right-of-asylum claim process.
American English
- The right-of-asylum framework underwent review.
- A right-of-asylum hearing was scheduled.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in CSR/ESG reports discussing corporate support for refugee employees.
Academic
Core term in international law, political science, and human rights studies. Used in analyses of treaties, state compliance, and normative frameworks.
Everyday
Used in news discussions about migration crises, refugee stories, and political debates on immigration policy.
Technical
Precise legal term in immigration courts, UNHCR documents, and national asylum legislation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “right of asylum”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “right of asylum”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “right of asylum”
- Using 'right of asylums' (plural).
- Confusing it with 'right to immigrate' (it is specifically about protection from persecution).
- Using in overly informal contexts where 'looking for safety' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The 'right of asylum' is the right to seek protection and have one's claim fairly assessed. 'Refugee status' is the positive outcome of that process if the claim is successful.
States control their borders and asylum procedures. They can deny individual applications but are bound by international law not to return ('refouler') people to places where they face serious harm, which is the core of the right.
It is primarily derived from international treaties, notably the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, as well as regional human rights instruments and many national constitutions.
Generally, no. The right applies specifically to those fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a social group, or serious threats like war or torture. Those seeking better economic opportunities do not qualify under this specific right, though they may have other human rights claims.
The legal right of a person to seek and receive protection from another country when fleeing persecution or danger in their home country.
Right of asylum is usually formal, legal, political, academic, journalistic in register.
Right of asylum: in British English it is pronounced /ˌraɪt əv əˈsaɪ.ləm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌraɪt əv əˈsaɪ.ləm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A safe harbour (metaphorical)”
- “A place of sanctuary”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a **right** (a moral or legal entitlement) to find a **right** (correct/safe) place when your home is **wrong** (dangerous). The 'asylum' is the safe 'isle' you aim for.
Conceptual Metaphor
SANCTUARY IS A SHIELD; THE STATE IS A SAFE HARBOUR; INTERNATIONAL LAW IS A SAFETY NET.
Practice
Quiz
What is the core legal obligation tied to the 'right of asylum'?