Humanitarianism, refugees, human rights, and health

In this chapter, the author explains the legal concepts of refugees and asylum seekers, the term ‘humanitarianism’, and the human rights principles that apply to them. The chapter then explores some critical issues. The conflicted roles of doctors and other health workers in receiving countries, using the offshore and onshore detention of refugees in Australia are employed as an example. The particular vulnerability of urban refugees in some countries and their lack of legal protection is highlighted. An analysis of the human right to health is presented to highlight gaps in the human rights frameworks which states can exploit to limit refugee protection and access to health.