The Status of Refugee Rights in Light of Memorandum of Understanding and Mechanism of Implementation

Abstract

Purpose: According to the importance of the refugee issue and refugee rights and since that Hashimte Kingdom of Jordan did not join the 1951 convention of refugees status and its 1967 protocol and managed to sign the memorandum of understanding instead with UNHCR, this study aimed to tackle the issue of refugees rights and duties between reality and implementation in Jordan.
 Methodology: This study adopted the descriptive, analytical, and comparative methodology of international and regional conventions, in addition to the comparison between the Jordanian legislation and the Memorandum of Understanding on Refugees with the provisions of international law. Also, it utilized the empirical method by conducting a field study.
 Main Findings: Results gained from the questionnaire concluded the refugees on Jordanian territory got rights more than what was stipulated on in the memorandum of understanding signed between the Jordan government and the United Nations high commissioner for refugees’ affairs (UNHCR). It also found out that the majority of refugees committed to their responsibilities in maintaining general security and order.
 Implications/Applications: This study has addressed the implications of the memorandum of understanding signed between the Jordan government and the United Nations high commissioner for refugees' affairs (UNHCR) by its analysis and application on a random sample of 150 refugees in Jordan, including Syrians in the biggest refugee camp in Jordan; Al- Zaatari refugee camp, in addition to the implications of the memorandum on Iraqi and Yemeni refugees in Jordan.
 Novelty/Originality of this study: This study was based on the memorandum of understanding between Jordan and (UNHCR) that was signed in the background of the refugee crisis that our countries witnessed. However, this study was the first to analyze the articles of the memorandum of understanding mentioned above and was backed up with a field study on a random sample of 150 Syrian refugees in Jordan refugees’ camps.