UNITED NATIONS MECHANISM FOR THE PROTECTION OF REFUGEES’ RIGHTS: A CASE STUDY OF UNHCR

A humanitarian and non-political organization, the United Nation High Commission for Refugees (UNHCRis mandated by the UN to protect refugees and help them find solutions to their plight. As the problem of displacement has grown in complexity over the past half century, UNHCR has expanded from a relatively small, specialized agency with as envisioned three-year lifespan to an organization of over 4000 staff members with offices in nearly 120 countries and an annual budget of one billion US dollars. In addition to offering legal protection, UNHCR now also provides materials relief in major emergencies, either directly or through partner agencies. In its first fifty years, UNHCR has protected and assisted more than 50 million people and its work has eamed two noble prizes.