Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country.



It ensures the basic human rights of vulnerable persons and that refugees will not be returned involuntarily to a country where they face persecution.



Legal Protection



Through an extensive body of international law and treaties and by working with governments and other organizations on subjects ranging from promoting asylum systems to refugee advocacy, UNHCR promotes the legal protection of refugees and durable solutions.



Capacity-Building



Strengthening capacities is a core activity in the area of protection and is aimed at enhancing the capabilities of States to meet their international legal obligations to protect refugees.



Women



Refugee women and girls face particular difficulties, and UNHCR has developed special training and assistance programmes to help them meet these challenges.