Abstract

CANTOR, David J.  and  TRIMINO MORA, Diana. A Simple Solution to War Refugees? The Latin American Expanded Definition and its relationship to International Humanitarian Law. Anu. Mex. Der. Inter [online]. 2015, vol.15, pp.165-194. ISSN 1870-4654.

This article explores how the broad refugee definition of the Cartagena Declaration on Refugees of 1984 protects refugees fleeing armed conflict. It proposes an interpretation of the Cartagena definition that borrows considerably from International Humanitarian Law. It adopts a contextual analysis based on the general purpose of the Declaration; the protection of refugees fleeing war in Latin America. The paper evaluates the 'conventional' interpretations of the definition, and proposes an alternative approach that gives greater emphasis to the context and purpose of the Cartagena Declaration. Thus, the article illustrates more clearly the current and potentially future role of IHL in determining the scope of the Cartagena refugee definition.

Keywords : refugee; armed conflict; broad definition; International Refugee Law; International Humanitarian Law; Cartagena Declaration on Refugees.

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