Refoulement is the forcible return of refugees and asylum seekers to countries or territories in which their lives or freedom may be threatened. People fleeing violence and persecution must be allowed access to territory to seek asylum and be protected against refoulement. Refugees and asylum seekers already abroad must not be forced to return when seeking international protection.
The principle of non-refoulement is a cornerstone of international law and is binding on all states. The principle of international refugee law prohibits states from returning refugees to countries or territories in which their lives or freedom may be threatened. As the principle is a part of customary international law, it is binding on all states, whether or not they are parties to the 1951 Refugee Convention or other conventions of international law. The prohibition of refoulement under international law is applicable to any form of forcible removal, including deportation, expulsion, extradition, informal transfer or extraordinary rendition.
The word refoulement derives from the French verb refouler which means to force back, to drive back, to turn away, to turn back.