ABSTRACT
The world has witnessed the plight of refugees fleeing from one country to another particularly after the Second World War and their plight continues today. Migration began in the 17th century with the emergence of European states as imperial powers and continued through the end of the First World War. From Spain, Portugal and Britain came a shipload of migrants to settle in North and South America and the French moved to Quebec and later to North Africa. The stagnating refugee situations are a growing challenge for the international community. More importantly, protracted refugee situations now account for the vast majority of the world’s refugee population. The significant refugee groups throughout world history are: Huguenot Refugees, Armenian Refugees, Jewish Refugees, Bangladeshi Refugees and Indochinese Refugees. India, too, is facing the problem of hosting refugees from the neighbouring countries like Burma, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
