Get Help Useful Information Definitions Refugee A refugee is anyone who cannot return to their country for fear of persecution for one of the following five reasons: Race – including ethnicity Religion – in some countries having no religion is viewed as badly as being of the ‘wrong’ religion Nationality Membership of a particular social group – this can include things like membership of a trade union, your gender (i.e. male or female), your sexual orientation Political opinion – this does not simply mean that you have to be a member of a political party, but if you have any political opinions, or even if people think you do. Refugees are entitled to be protected against forcible return to their countries of origin.